Overview
- Lando Norris’s Las Vegas runner‑up finish was erased when both McLarens were disqualified for excessive plank/skid wear, leaving him 24 points ahead of Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen with two rounds left.
- There are 58 points still available, including 33 at Lusail across the sprint and grand prix, turning the penultimate weekend into a pivotal swing for the championship.
- Norris can clinch the title in Qatar by outscoring both Verstappen and Piastri by two points across the sprint and race.
- McLaren attributed the legality breach to unexpected porpoising during the race, drawing focus to ride‑height and setup choices that could trade pace for compliance.
- Pirelli has limited each tyre set to a maximum of 25 laps for the Qatar race, ensuring at least two stops and potentially increasing floor stress, while Verstappen arrives with a strong record at Lusail and Red Bull’s sole title focus.