Norris and Piastri DQ’d for Plank Wear as Verstappen Capitalizes in Las Vegas F1 Shock
It was supposed to be Lando Norris’s coronation. Instead, it became the most dramatic twist of the 2025 Formula 1 season. On Saturday, November 21, 2025, under the neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, the British driver had dominated qualifying, snatching pole position with a blistering 1:47.934 — 0.323 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. But by race’s end, Norris wasn’t even on the results sheet. Neither was his teammate Oscar Piastri. Both McLaren Racing Limited cars were disqualified for excessive plank wear, handing Verstappen a victory that reshaped the entire championship. The twist? Norris had led the Drivers’ Championship by 24 points before the race. Now, he’s tied with Piastri in the chase — and Verstappen is right behind them.
The Collapse of a Championship Moment
Norris didn’t just start strong — he looked untouchable. After a wet qualifying session that left most drivers struggling, he carved out a margin that seemed unassailable. His start, however, was a disaster. Running wide on Turn 1 on the low-grip street surface, he handed Verstappen the lead in a single corner. The Dutchman didn’t look back. Meanwhile, Piastri, who’d qualified fifth after being blocked in Q3, fought through traffic but never threatened the podium. Then came the post-race technical inspection. The floor planks on both McLaren MP4/40s had worn beyond the 1mm FIA limit — a violation that’s not uncommon, but rarely results in disqualification unless the team is flagged for negligence. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella didn’t hide his anguish. "I apologize to Lando and Oscar," he said. "We didn’t see this coming. We thought we were within tolerance. We let them down."Verstappen’s Moment — and the Championship Reckoning
For Max Verstappen, it was a gift he didn’t know he’d been given. Before Las Vegas, he trailed Norris by 49 points. Now, he’s level with Piastri at 284 points, just 24 behind Norris. With only two races left — the 2025 Qatar Grand PrixLusail International Circuit on November 28 and the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand PrixYas Marina Circuit on December 5 — Norris must outscore both Piastri and Verstappen to clinch his first title. No pressure, right? "Can you imagine if Verstappen had been closer?" asked Motorsport.com’s lead analyst. "He’d be celebrating right now. But he’s not. He’s just… waiting. And Norris? He’s got to win both races and hope the others crash. Or worse — make the same mistake."Williams’ Quiet Triumph
While McLaren’s season unraveled, Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited quietly secured its best Constructors’ finish since 2017. Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, finished fifth — his best result since joining the team. With teammate Alex Albon adding points, Williams leapfrogged Alpine into fifth place in the Constructors’ standings. "We didn’t come here to win," Sainz said. "We came to finish. And we did. That’s the story of this year."
The Rookie Lesson
In the midfield, Gabriel Bortoleto, the 19-year-old Brazilian rookie for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, made a textbook rookie error — spinning on Turn 12 after locking his brakes on the slick surface. He recovered to finish 11th, but the moment was telling. "It’s a good reminder," said ESPN’s F1 analyst, "that experience isn’t just about speed. It’s about knowing how to feel the track. And you don’t learn that in simulators."What’s Next? The Final Two Races
The championship is now a three-way battle. Norris leads with 308 points. Piastri and Verstappen sit at 284. Each race offers 26 points for a win, 18 for second, 15 for third — and a bonus point for fastest lap. Norris must win both races, and hope neither Piastri nor Verstappen scores more than 18 points combined. If Piastri wins Qatar and Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi, Norris needs to finish at least second in both — and hope for mechanical failures or penalties elsewhere. Ross Brawn, former F1 Managing Director of Motorsports, put it bluntly: "This isn’t just about driving. It’s about pressure. Norris has been the most consistent driver this year. But now? He’s got to carry the weight of an entire team’s mistake on his shoulders. That’s the cruel beauty of Formula 1."
Behind the Plank: Why This Happened
The plank — a wooden skid block beneath the car — is designed to prevent teams from running too low to the ground for aerodynamic advantage. Wear is monitored closely. But in Las Vegas, the combination of rough pavement, high lateral loads, and unusually high tire temperatures pushed the McLaren’s plank beyond tolerance. McLaren’s telemetry showed the left-side plank had worn 1.27mm — just 0.27mm over the limit. But FIA rules are absolute. No exceptions. "It’s not a penalty," explained a former FIA technical delegate. "It’s a disqualification. You either comply or you’re out. No second chances."FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the plank wear disqualification work in Formula 1?
FIA regulations require the carbon-fiber underbody plank to maintain a minimum thickness of 1mm after the race. If wear exceeds this — even by 0.1mm — the car is disqualified. This rule prevents teams from running dangerously low to the track for aerodynamic gain. In Las Vegas, both McLarens exceeded the limit by 0.27mm and 0.31mm, respectively, triggering automatic DQ under Article 3.5.2 of the Technical Regulations.
Can Lando Norris still win the 2025 Drivers’ Championship?
Yes — but it’s extremely difficult. Norris leads with 308 points, while Verstappen and Piastri are tied at 284. He must win both remaining races and hope neither rival scores more than 18 points total across Qatar and Abu Dhabi. If Piastri wins Qatar and Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi, Norris needs at least second place in both — and no bonus points for either rival. It’s mathematically possible, but psychologically daunting.
Why didn’t McLaren see this coming?
McLaren’s data suggested plank wear was within limits based on simulations, but Las Vegas’s rough surface and high tire temperatures created unexpected friction. The team had never seen such rapid wear in a single race before. Post-race inspection revealed the left plank had worn unevenly — a sign the car was sitting lower than intended under load. They missed the warning signs in real-time telemetry.
What does this mean for McLaren’s 2026 car development?
McLaren will overhaul its floor design and suspension tuning for 2026 to prevent similar issues. The team has already begun wind tunnel testing with stiffer plank mounting systems and redesigned airflow channels to reduce downward pressure on the underbody. They’re also investing in real-time wear monitoring sensors — something no team currently uses live during races.
Who benefits most from Norris’s disqualification?
Max Verstappen gains the most — he’s now tied for second and has a clear path to the title. But Williams also benefits: with McLaren out of the top two in the Constructors’ standings, Williams secured fifth place — their best finish since 2017 — and will receive an extra $15 million in prize money. Even Sauber’s rookie, Bortoleto, gained exposure as fans shifted attention to the midfield battle.
Has this ever happened before in F1?
Yes — but rarely at this stage of a championship. In 2007, Alonso and Massa were both disqualified from the Monaco GP for plank wear, but it didn’t affect the title. In 2019, Red Bull’s Verstappen was disqualified from the Austrian GP for a similar issue, but he was already 70+ points behind Hamilton. This is the first time since 2003 that a driver leading the championship has been DQ’d for plank wear with two races left.
