The disqualification of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from the Las Vegas Grand Prix dramatically changes the complexion of the battle for the Formula 1 drivers’ championship.
Before both McLarens were thrown out of the results for excessive skid-block wear, Norris had a 30-point lead over his team-mate and was 42 ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with just two races to go and a maximum of 58 points available.
In that scenario, as long as Norris did not lose more than five points to Piastri at the penultimate race in Qatar next weekend, and 17 to Verstappen, he would have left Doha as world champion for the first time.
Verstappen still had a mathematical chance of winning a fifth consecutive world championship, but it was remote.
Now, Norris’ lead is down to 24 points, and Verstappen has vaulted up to be level on points with Piastri, albeit still technically third overall as he has one fewer win.
Norris remains a strong favourite, but while his lead over Piastri is changed only a little, Verstappen is now properly in the game.
To close on Norris by 12 points on average over the remaining two races is still a big ask, but it’s not that long since Verstappen’s victory in Austin last month meant he had reduced his deficit to the championship leader – at that time Piastri – by 64 points over four races.
The title is still Norris’ to lose – and he can win it in Qatar this coming weekend, although the maths are complicated by the fact that there is a sprint race as well as a grand prix.
