McLaren Suffers Double Disqualification, Verstappen inches Closer to F1 Title
Lusail, Qatar - A dramatic post-race disqualification of both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, following the Qatar Grand Prix has substantially altered the championship standings and propelled Max Verstappen closer to a third consecutive Formula 1 World Championship. The disqualifications, stemming from a technical infringement regarding the thickness of the plank under the cars, elevate Red Bull Racing’s Verstappen to the race winner and further solidify his dominant position in the driver standings.
The disqualifications shake up a race initially completed with Norris finishing second and Piastri fourth. Mercedes’ George Russell now moves to second place, and Kimi Antonelli of mercedes is credited with third after a penalty initially dropped him to fifth. The incident throws the championship battle into further uncertainty for McLaren, with both Norris and Piastri having traded the lead in the driver standings throughout the season. piastri, who last won at the Dutch Grand Prix on the final day of August, acknowledged his fading title hopes, stating, “I don’t really know what to think, to be honest… I’m going to try my best, obviously, for the next two races and try to put myself in the best position possible.”
Norris experienced difficulties early in the race, dropping from second to third after a slip in the first turn. Piastri also lost ground at the start, falling from fifth to seventh.The disqualification marks a significant setback for the McLaren team, who have been consistently challenging red Bull for race wins in recent events.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, starting 19th after Ferrari’s first last-place qualifying result since 2009, delivered a strong performance, gaining six positions on the first lap and ultimately finishing eighth after the disqualifications. Ferrari’s charles Leclerc was credited with fourth place, a positive result for the team following a double retirement in Brazil that drew criticism from Ferrari executive chairman John Elkann.
With two races remaining – the United states and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix – Verstappen’s lead in the championship is now commanding. The disqualification of both McLaren drivers hands Verstappen a crucial advantage as he aims to secure his third World Championship title.