Max Verstappen wins 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, McLarens disqualified

UPDATE:

The FIA stewards have disqualified both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris from the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

According to the final decision, the thickness of the plank assembly was below the permitted minimum thickness.

"The rear skids were re-measured in the presence of the Stewards and the three McLaren representatives, and those measurements confirmed that the skids did not comply with the regulations. The relevant measurements were even lower than those measured originally by the Technical Delegate," the decisions read in part. "The Team argued that mitigating circumstances existed in that there was additional and unexpected porpoising at this event, limited opportunity to test due to the weather on Day 1, and shortened practice sessions."

The FIA states there was no provision in the regulations or in precedent for any penalty other than disqualification.

"The FIA noted that it strongly held the view that the breach was unintentional and that there was not deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations."

Following the ruling by the stewards, team principal Andrea Stella released the following statement:

With both Norris and Piastri disqualified, that moves Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli up to second and third place. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc moves up to fourth and Williams' Carlos Sainz rounds out the top five.

When it comes to the Drivers' Championship standings, things just got a lot more interesting heading into the final two races of the season. Here's a look at where things stand after the disqualifications.

• Lando Norris - 390
• Oscar Piastri - 366
• Max Verstappen - 366

UPDATE:

Following the race, FIA stewards launched an investigation into the McLarens, due to alleged excessive plank wear.

There is a rule in place to make sure teams don't run their cars too close to the ground and increase the downforce generated by the floors. That would help the vehicles have an advantage during the race.

According to a report from an FIA official, the skid wear was checked and "the rearmost skid was measured on both cars according to the team's legality documents submission ... the measured thickness was less than 9mm on both cars, which is the minimum thickness required ... I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration."

McLaren officials say a statement will be issued following whatever decision is made and team principal Andrea Stella won't be speaking.

This isn't the first time this issue has come up this season.

Back in March, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the China Grand Prix for the same reason while Kick Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg was disqualified from the Bahrain Grand Prix.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has won his second Las Vegas Grand Prix.

"Normally, the race is a tough one for us. We are normally not that great on tires but today it seemed like we had it a bit more under control and I could push a little bit more," Verstappen said after the win. "That unlocked a little more pace and I could stay out a little bit longer and split the race in half. That helped a lot. The car was working well and much more to my liking. In the end, it was quite a decent gap."

It was a gutsy move at the start of the race that sealed the win for Verstappen. McLaren's Lando Norris tried to defend his pole position but when he went wide, Verstappen went past on the inside. Verstappen picked up speed on the straights and pulled about 20 seconds ahead of his closest competitor, which was Norris.

Norris joked about it after the race.

"I let Max have a win. I let him go. I let him have a nice race," Norris said. "No. I just braked too late. It was my F up. I wanted to put on a show. Right? That's why we're in Vegas, I guess. No. It wasn't my best performance out there but when a guy wins by 20 seconds, it's because he's just done a better job and been quicker. Fun race. Difficult, as always, but good fun."

Verstappen picks up 25 points in the Drivers' Championship with that win. He is still competing with the two McLarens, which is Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri.

Norris finished the Las Vegas Grand Prix in second place and will pick up 18 points while Mercedes' George Russell, last year's champion, came in third. Piastri finished in fourth and picked up 12 points.

So here's where things stand for the Drivers' Championship going into the last two races of the season:

• Lando Norris - 408 points
• Oscar Piastri - 378 points
• Max Verstappen - 366 points

The teams will now travel to Qatar before rounding out the season in Abu Dhabi.

When the teams hit the grid in Qatar, Kick Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto will be serving a five-place grid penalty. That's because he made contact with Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and both drivers retired from the race due to damage to their vehicles. F1 stewards also stated Bortoleto would get two penalty points on his license, stating he "braked extremely late."

"It was my fault. I think I just misjudged the grip that I had and where I was on track," Bortoleto said after the race. "I had a very good launch and went for a move on the inside of the Williams, and when I put the car on the left-hand side of the Williams, it was already time to brake and I broke like five meters too late, then just arrived a bit too long in the corner. I had no angle to do the corner because I was completely on the inside and just misjudged it. It was my fault."