A neon-lit Las Vegas Grand Prix turned dramatic overnight as both McLaren cars were disqualified for excessive plank wear, reshuffling the podium and tightening the championship fight. Photo: Formula 1.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | November 2025
Well, butter my biscuits, F1 fans! Last night in Las Vegas was supposed to be all glitter, glitz, and roaring engines, but honey, it turned into a full-on soap opera on wheels.
The Race That Was … Until It Wasn’t
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had the McLaren engines humming and hearts thumping as they tore down the Strip, looking like they were ready to give Red Bull a run for their money. Max Verstappen, of course, showed up like the seasoned champ he is and took the win, with Norris supposedly in second and Piastri in fourth. Fans were cheering, popcorn was flying, and Vegas was glowing.
But Then … Have Mercy!
Hours after the checkered flag, the stewards dropped the hammer: both McLarens were disqualified. Yep. Out. Gone. Why? Their skid blocks, the little planks under the cars that keep ’em from scraping the tarmac like a frying pan on a hot stove, were worn thinner than grandma’s pie crust.
Here’s the rundown:
- Lando’s right-front plank: 8.88 mm (minimum’s 9 mm)
- Piastri’s right-front plank: 8.74 mm
The team blamed the bouncing and jostling of the street circuit. Vegas isn’t a smooth Sunday drive, after all, but the stewards weren’t buying it. Rules are rules, sugar.
Championship Drama, Sweetie
This little shake-up has the points tighter than my old wool sweater:
- Norris now has 390 points.
- Piastri and Verstappen are tied at 366.
That’s right, Max is back in the title hunt like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Only two races left, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and things are looking spicy.
What McLaren Said
McLaren issued an official statement apologizing to fans and acknowledging the disqualification. Team Principal Andrea Stella cited unexpected plank wear caused by the street-circuit conditions as the reason for the issue, describing the outcome as “extremely disappointing” for the team.
Why This Matters
You see, the “plank” isn’t just a piece of wood. It’s the law of F1 land. Run lower to the ground, you get speed. Wear it too thin, and you get a big fat DQ. Vegas’ bumps and kerbs did the rest. Lesson learned: you can have neon lights and fast cars, but you better watch that plank.
The Road Ahead
Next stop: Qatar on November 30, 2025. Sprint race. More points. More drama.
💅 And honey, after Vegas, you better believe every seat in the paddock will be biting their nails. F1 ain’t just a sport. It’s a soap opera on wheels.
