He qualified on pole for the Las Vegas Grand Prix but effectively demoted himself to second at the start with a frenetic defensive move that allowed Verstappen through to take the win. The drama only escalated when he was disqualified after both McLarens failed the mandatory ride-height tests. Norris elected to settle for second place, not wanting to risk a run-in with Verstappen—a safe strategy that would have left him all but guaranteed to secure his first drivers’ title with two races remaining.
But disqualification from the race—and the erasure of his points—could not have come at a worse time. McLaren and Lando Norris are now under immense pressure. He who holds their nerve will ultimately clinch the world title. Norris still has a comfortable 24-point lead and could finish second in both remaining races and still secure the championship by five points.
The question now is whether the ride-height ruling will force McLaren to raise the ride height of its car. If so, McLaren will sacrifice performance to Red Bull and possibly Mercedes. Their disqualification in Las Vegas for failing to meet post-race mandatory ride-height wear limits suggests McLaren pushed the boundaries in pursuit of performance over Red Bull.
This implies that Red Bull may now have the quicker car—and Verstappen could well win the remaining two races. Mercedes could also spoil McLaren’s near-perfect season in the run-up to the final race. It’s all to play for now, but the championship is still Norris’s to lose.
Why McLaren Was Disqualified
Both Norris and Piastri were disqualified from the race for excessive skid-block wear. The skid block, fixed under the car, prevents cars from running too low and gaining an aerodynamic advantage. It is made of a glass-reinforced composite called Permaglass.
In the past, a wood-based composite called Jabroc—made of layered beechwood and resin—was used. The main skid block is now Permaglass, with titanium plates embedded within the plank to create sparks and help maintain the minimum ride height.
Excessive skid block wear has affected numerous drivers in recent seasons. Lewis Hamilton faced the penalty earlier this year in China and at the 2023 US Grand Prix, while Charles Leclerc and George Russell have also been impacted previously.
McLaren attributed their issue to unexpected porpoising, causing the cars to bounce and make excessive contact with the track. Post-race inspections revealed accidental damage that increased floor movement. The FIA confirmed the breach was unintentional and occurred under mitigating circumstances.
