Disqualification drama: Verstappen back in title race

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday (yesterday morning, Thai time) and roared back into the Formula One title battle after the shock disqualification of McLaren’s championship leader Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri.

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen lifts his trophy on the podium after winning the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

(AFP)

Norris, who started on pole and finished second, and fourth-placed Piastri were ruled out for technical reasons linked to the under-car skid planks hours after the race had ended and the podium champagne been sprayed.

The development left Britain’s Norris 24 points clear of four-time world champion Verstappen and Australian Piastri, now tied on points, with two rounds to go in Qatar and Abu Dhabi and 58 points available.

Stewards had summoned both McLaren drivers after a post-race FIA inspection found the thickness of the plank assembly was below the permitted minimum.

George Russell, last year’s winner of the floodlit race and like Norris making his 150th start, moved up to second with teammate Kimi Antonelli taking third.