McLaren's Lando Norris has declared that his approach to securing his maiden Formula One world championship remains unaltered, despite a dramatic disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix that saw his substantial points lead over Red Bull rival Max Verstappen slashed in half.
The Las Vegas Setback
Last weekend's race on the Nevada strip was initially a strong outing for the McLaren team. Norris secured a second-place finish, with his teammate Oscar Piastri crossing the line in fourth. However, the result was turned on its head four hours post-race. An FIA investigation found that the skid blocks on the floor of both McLaren cars were worn down beyond the legal 9mm limit, leading to the immediate disqualification of both drivers.
This ruling had severe championship implications. Verstappen, who had trailed Norris by 49 points before the event, suddenly found himself just 24 points adrift as the circus arrived in Qatar for the penultimate round. Piastri is now also level on points with the Red Bull driver.
Norris and McLaren React to the Blow
Facing the media in Qatar, Norris was resolute, emphasising that Verstappen has been considered a threat all season. "We treat him as a threat because we know what he's capable of, we know what Red Bull is capable of," Norris stated. "Therefore nothing changes now because he's still the threat he's always been."
He admitted the disqualification was a painful blow, stating, "Of course it hurts. There's a lot of effort that goes into every weekend... it certainly made all that effort feel like it disappeared very quickly." However, he confirmed he has moved on and is focused on the challenge in Qatar.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella addressed the issue directly, firmly denying the team had taken "excessive risks" with the car's ride height. He explained that the disqualification was caused by unexpected and extensive porpoising (a violent bouncing motion) during the race, a phenomenon not anticipated based on their practice data and predictions.
Team Dynamics and the Title Fight
The tightened standings raise questions about team orders at McLaren. When asked if he would be prepared to assist Norris in his battle with Verstappen, Piastri was unequivocal. "The answer is no," the Australian driver said. "I'm still equal on points with Max and I've got a decent shot of still winning it."
With a 24-point lead and 58 points available in Qatar, including a sprint race, the mathematical possibility for Norris to clinch the title this weekend remains, though the path is now far more difficult than it would have been had the Las Vegas points stood.
