Norris and Piastri Disqualified at the 2025 Las Vegas F1: What Really Happened and Why It Matters

The Las Vegas weekend produced drama on and off the track. Two McLaren cars crossed the finish line only to have their results wiped out after post-race scrutineering found excessive wear on the wooden plank under both cars. That tiny piece of wood, designed to protect the floor and enforce a minimum ride height, became the centrepiece of a decision that reshapes the championship battle heading into the final rounds.

What triggered the double disqualification

The technical issue was straightforward but consequential. Both McLaren cars showed too much wear on the rear portion of their underbody skid plank. Excessive plank wear is a red flag because it indicates the car may have been running lower than permitted, generating extra ground effect suction and therefore better lap times.

Teams work at the limit of the regulations to find every tenth possible. In this case, McLaren’s setup produced unexpected high levels of porpoising — oscillations in the car caused by aero load fluctuations — which increased contact with the ground and accelerated plank degradation. The governing body judged the wear exceeded the allowable tolerance. The result: both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the race classification.

How the paddock reacted

When the news broke, the paddock atmosphere was a mixture of frustration and fatigue. Journalists gathered and waited for answers, but neither driver attended the initial stewards meeting. Team representatives did appear, and there was a long wait before the formal communication arrived.

McLaren later issued a statement acknowledging the breaches and explaining the underlying cause as unintentional porpoising effects. The team said there was no deliberate attempt to circumvent the rules and expressed apologies to the drivers, partners, and fans for the lost points at a critical stage in the championship.

Championship implications: the standings just tightened

On track the podium initially read Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and George Russell. After the disqualifications, the official podium became Max, George and Kimi Antonelli. That reshuffle has immediate consequences.

With 58 points still available across the remaining races and sprints, the standings compressed. Lando retains the championship lead, but both Max and Oscar closed in: each now sits 24 points behind. That shifts the dynamic — Lando is still favourite but cannot afford complacency, and Max suddenly looks like a very serious dark horse for a comeback.

Why the plank rule matters

The plank rule is a simple enforcement mechanism to police ride height. If teams run too low, they risk creating dangerous downforce spikes, damaging the track, and gaining an aero advantage. The plank is measured after the race, and tiny excesses are treated seriously because the rule must be consistent across the grid.

In this case the measured breaches were small in absolute terms — Lando’s car exceeded by a maximum of 0.12 mm and Oscar’s by 0.26 mm on the rearmost skid — but rules are rules. The FIA also noted mitigating circumstances linked to porpoising, which the team referenced in its apology.

On-track and off-track moments that shaped the weekend

Las Vegas delivered more than controversy. The event sold out after a late surge in ticket sales, producing packed grandstands and plenty of celebrity interest. The paddock blended sport with spectacle — from mirrored chapels and novelty transport to an unexpected wedding or two in the heart of the action.

There were lighter human moments as well: fans with well-behaved dogs in the pit straight, drivers sharing casual conversations post-race, and the occasional offbeat anecdote from luxury hotels to late-night casino tales. Those pieces of colour are a reminder that race weekends are both sporting contests and large-scale events with all the attendant oddities.

Health and safety notes: marshals and manhole covers

Two safety issues cropped up during the weekend. First, marshals were briefly on track sweeping debris at the start and remained in the vicinity as cars came through the first turn. Double yellow flags were displayed, but the sight of track workers near racing lines understandably raised concerns.

Second, the manhole cover situation prompted action. Several covers were replaced after inspection to ensure they were secure. When street circuits are laid out over city infrastructure, items like manhole covers can become key safety checks — and the FIA treated them as such.

Other notable observations from Las Vegas

• Fan experience and prices: Food and drink at the track reflected event pricing. Pizza, empanadas and speciality sandwiches were in the mid-teens, cocktails and beers around similar figures. Fans accepted it as part of a premium live experience.
• Local atmosphere: The city vibe showed through, from aromas drifting across certain turns to traffic camera angles giving curious onlookers unofficial glimpses of the circuit.
• F1 Academy and support series: The junior categories delivered on the weekend too, with championship celebrations and podium ceremonies that felt very much like the future of the sport being showcased.

What happens next

McLaren’s disqualification means lost points at a pivotal time. The team has acknowledged the breach and the unintentional nature of the porpoising that caused it. Appeals in such cases can be possible but are constrained by the evidence and technical data. For the championship, the next races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi suddenly carry even more weight.

From a sporting perspective, expect teams to review setups to avoid similar plank wear, and the FIA to continue stringently policing ride height and underbody limits. The field is packed tight enough that small margins and technical interpretations could decide a title.

Why were Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disqualified?

Both cars showed excessive wear on the rear portion of the underbody plank after the race. The wear exceeded the permitted tolerance, indicating the cars had been running low enough to gain extra aerodynamic advantage. The FIA ruled the breach was unintentional and linked to unexpected porpoising.

Did McLaren deliberately break the rules?

McLaren stated there was no deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations. Their explanation cites unexpected high porpoising levels that increased ground contact and led to accelerated plank wear.

How does this affect the championship battle?

The lost points compressed the standings. Lando remains in the lead but now has Max and Oscar both just 24 points behind, making the remaining three race weekends critical. With 58 points still up for grabs, the title fight is far from decided.

What should teams change to avoid the same issue?

Teams will scrutinize suspension setup, aerodynamic balance and porpoising mitigation strategies. Small ride-height adjustments, different damping setups and revised aero maps are typical responses to avoid unexpected plank wear.

The Las Vegas outcome is a reminder that modern motorsport lives where extreme engineering meets strict regulation. Tiny measurements can have huge consequences. The title race will reflect that through the final events of the year — every millimetre and every decision counts.