Verstappen inches closer after Norris, Piastri disqualified

A fifth consecutive Fl championship is within Max Verstappen’s reach following the disqualifications of contenders Lando Norrisand Oscar Piastri after Saturday night’s Las Vegas GP.

- Associated Press

Verstappen won the event for the second time in three years to close the gap on Norris to just 42 points with two races remaining. But three hours after the race concluded, the FIA summoned McLaren to see the stewards for failing inspection. The measured thickness on the skid wear on the McLarens failed to meet the minimum thickness requirements.

Skid wear is the wear on the protective plank on the underside of the cars, and Lewis Hamilton was disqualified for the same infraction earlier this year. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the infraction stemmed from the cars bottoming out during the race at levels they did not do during practice — leading to excessive contact with the ground. Stella said the damage to both cars was “accidental” and that “the FIA noted the breach was uninten-