Max Verstappen and Red Bull were given a significant boost in the 2025 title race after McLaren were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Dutchman moved ahead of Lando Norris at the first corner when the McLaren driver attempted to block him. Norris ran wide, opening the door for Verstappen, who then controlled the race comfortably to take victory.
Norris finished second on track, with his teammate Oscar Piastri crossing the line in fifth before being promoted to fourth following a penalty for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. However, both results were wiped out when McLaren were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The punishment was due to excessive plank wear and it has allowed Verstappen back into championship contention. He now sits level on points with Piastri and just 24 behind leader Norris.
McLaren challenged their DSQ with an FIA protest lasting over an hour post-race, but they lost their appeal and now have even more pressure as Red Bull have closed in.
Helmut Marko got the McLaren setback he wanted at Las Vegas GP
Plenty of key voices at Red Bull, including Helmut Marko, have spent weeks downplaying Verstappen’s title hopes. The Austrian had said Red Bull needed McLaren to slip up before they could start thinking about a serious push for the championship.
That slip-up came in Las Vegas. And according to journalist Ronald Vording, Marko mentioned off the record that it was exactly the kind of result he had been waiting for.
Speaking to Motorsport.com Nederland, Vording explained: “The funny thing was, before this happened, I spoke to Helmut Marko in the paddock, and well, we also talked about the World Championship standings in the title race.
“And then Marko said: ‘Yes, we still need at least one really bad result from McLaren.’ Then I said to Marko: ‘Well, one, but I think you need a little more than that.’ And then Marko said: ‘Well, one would be nice.’
“Then that summons document came and this happened at McLaren. Then Marko was still there, so then I just walked off the record and said: ‘Well, that day you were talking about with one bad result, that could well be today.’
“Then he started to laugh and said: ‘Yes, looks like it.’ Well, in the end, that’s actually what happened.”
Can Max Verstappen really pull off the 2025 Formula 1 title?
According to the Dutchman, he will need a slice of good fortune to make it happen. He certainly enjoyed plenty of that in Las Vegas, leaving him less than a win behind Lando Norris in the standings.
Even so, the odds still lean towards the Brit. Norris could seal the crown in Qatar if he finishes the weekend ahead of both Piastri and Verstappen.
With 58 points still available, the fight could easily go all the way to Abu Dhabi, but Verstappen’s hopes rest on outscoring Norris at Lusail – no small task given how consistent both drivers have been in the second half of the season.
The Dutchman, though, is not showing a hint of fear. Lap after lap, he kept pumping in purple sectors as McLaren urged Norris to take the fight to him. The Red Bull star has his back against the wall, but with nothing to lose, he is fighting hard.
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