Last Updated on November 25 2025, 10:47 am
Welcome to TJ13’s daily rolling F1 news and comment. Here you’ll find the latest stories, rumours, and paddock whispers. We’ll be updating this page all day as the news breaks and the drama unfolds, so be sure to check back regularly for the latest updates straight from the F1 circus, and please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.
Piastri reacts to Las Vegas disqualification and changing title picture – Updated 21:05 UK
Oscar Piastri described his disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix as “unfortunate” and “disappointing”, after both McLaren cars were disqualified for excessive skid-plank wear. A post-race inspection found that two measurement points on Piastri’s car were 0.04 mm and 0.26 mm under the 9 mm minimum, resulting in an automatic disqualification for both Piastri and his teammate, Lando Norris.
Despite the setback, the ruling unexpectedly helped Piastri’s title fight. Rather than falling 30 points behind Norris, as would have been the case with the original results, Piastri now trails by just 24 points with 58 still up for grabs. The greater danger now comes from Max Verstappen, whose Las Vegas win puts him level with Piastri on points heading into the final two rounds.
Team principal Andrea Stella apologised to both drivers, explaining that the excessive wear had been caused by severe porpoising during the race that was far worse than anything seen in practice. Piastri said he is ready to reset and try again after a costly, pointless weekend for McLaren.
Stroll escorted back to the paddock after the Las Vegas crash on lap one – Updated 18:45 UK
He revealed that he had needed a “military group” escort to return to the paddock after being taken out on the opening lap of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Aston Martin driver was hit by Gabriel Bortoleto at Turn 1, ending his race instantly. Despite it being their second collision in two races, Stroll seemed relaxed about the incident, saying that Bortoleto “didn’t do it on purpose” and blaming the cold conditions, which made it easy to lock up.
Stranded on the far side of the circuit, Stroll explained that all roads around the track were closed, leaving him unable to walk back. After waiting for most of the race, he eventually managed to hop onto a golf buggy and was escorted by what he described as a “military group” back to the paddock.
The Canadian joked that, at least, he didn’t have to spend the night stuck trackside.
Details on why Norris and Piastri were disqualified from the Vegas result — Updated 12:40 UK
Both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, were disqualified from the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix after FIA stewards found that the plank assemblies on both cars were below the permitted minimum thickness.
Post-race inspections revealed that the rear skid measurements on each car were under the required 9 mm limit, according to FIA documents. The FIA Technical Delegate took precise micrometer readings which found that both Norris’s and Piastri’s cars breached Article 3.5.9 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations. The FIA then re-measured the skids in the presence of multiple McLaren representatives, confirming the initial findings with even lower readings.
McLaren argued that unusual track conditions, porpoising and reduced practice running had contributed to the excessive wear of the planks. However, the stewards ruled that, despite believing McLaren did not attempt to circumvent the regulations, there is no alternative penalty available in such cases under the rules. Consequently, both cars were disqualified from the race classification, with all other drivers promoted one position.
The FIA also referenced prior decisions from the International Court of Appeal, reinforcing the fact that plank-wear infringements must result in disqualification (DSQ), regardless of intent or circumstances.
Updated 2025 F1 standings after McLaren’s disqualification in Las Vegas – Updated 10:00 UK
The 2025 Formula 1 title race has become much closer after both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for excessive plank wear. Norris had finished second and Piastri fourth before these results were stripped following post-race checks.
Despite the disqualifications, Norris still leads the championship, now just 24 points ahead of Piastri and Verstappen, who are tied in second place. With two rounds to go, all three remain in contention.
Norris can seal the championship heading into Qatar — but only if he outscores both Piastri and Verstappen by at least two points. After a dramatic twist under the lights in Las Vegas, the title fight is now wide open.
| # | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
  |
McLaren F1 team | 390 |
| 2 |
  |
McLaren F1 team | 366 |
| 3 |
  |
Red Bull Racing | 366 |
| 4 |
 |
Mercedes AMG F1 | 294 |
| 5 |
  |
Scuderia Ferrari | 226 |
| 6 |
 |
Scuderia Ferrari | 152 |
| 7 |
  |
Mercedes AMG F1 | 137 |
| 8 |
  |
Williams Racing | 73 |
| 9 |
  |
Racing Bulls | 51 |
| 10 |
  |
Stake F1 Team | 49 |
| 11 |
  |
Williams Racing | 48 |
| 12 |
 |
Haas F1 | 41 |
| 13 |
 |
Aston Martin F1 Team | 40 |
| 14 |
  |
Racing Bulls | 36 |
| 15 |
 |
Haas F1 | 32 |
| 16 |
  |
Aston Martin F1 Team | 32 |
| 17 |
  |
Red Bull Racing | 28 |
| 18 |
 |
Alpine F1 | 22 |
| 19 |
  |
Stake F1 Team | 19 |
| 20 |
  |
Alpine F1 | 0 |
| 21 |
 |
Alpine F1 | 0 |
Norris’ disqualified action in Las Vegas
Lando Norris efforts to claim the 2025 Formula One drivers’ championship moved ahead one step in Las Vegas despite him losing his pole position start in turn one to Max Verstappen.
The McLaren driver even fell ton third place after an extravagant defensive move on his championship rival which saw him out brake himself and run wide at turn one after lights out.
The leader of the world championship recovered his lost place to Russell after the round of pit stops as the Mercedes driver claimed he was again having problems with the steering.
Norris was instructed to lift and coast over the final laps of the race in Sin City, losing some two seconds a lap to Verstappen with the gap growing from five seconds to almost twenty at the chequered flag.
The championship as it stands means Norris is 30 points ahead of his team mate and 42 in front of Verstappen whose late season charge has spiced up the run in. Yet 45 minutes after the chequered flag in Vegas, it was declared that Norris car was under investigation by the FIA.
Of course the first suspicion wold be whether McLaren could deliver the required volume of fuel sample given Norris was instructed to lift and coast to save the petrol in the dying laps of the race.
Secondly there is the issue of the ride height which may be the focus of the FIA’s investigation, should the plank wear be excessive to would see Norris thrown out of the Grand Prix.
We now await a statement from the FIA which will declare Norris car legal or not – something which m ay heavily affect the title showdown run in.
FIA hands Bortoleto a double penalty after Lap 1 clash with Stroll
The FIA has handed Gabriel Bortoleto a double penalty following his clash with Lance Stroll on the opening lap
Bortoleto has received a five-place grid penalty for the Qatar Grand Prix and two penalty points on his Super Licence for colliding with Stroll on the opening lap of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Sauber driver attempted an overtaking manoeuvre at Turn 1, but braked far too late, colliding with Stroll and forcing the Aston Martin driver to retire immediately. Bortoleto tried to continue, but was out by lap two.
This decision comes just one race after the pair clashed in Brazil, where Stroll squeezed Bortoleto off the track but escaped punishment. While that incident was deemed a racing incident, stewards took a firmer stance in Las Vegas. They stated: “The driver of Car 5 braked extremely late… mitigating circumstances do not exist.” As Bortoleto retired from the race, the standard 10-second penalty was converted into a grid drop for his next event.
Piastri’s Title Bid Wobbles After Chaotic Las Vegas GP
Oscar Piastri’s hopes of winning the Formula 1 title took another hit in Las Vegas, where he finished fourth (DSQ pending) following a bruising collision on the opening lap and a race filled with setbacks. The Australian has not stood on the podium for six consecutive rounds, and his once-strong championship lead has disappeared.
Piastri’s race unravelled early on, when contact with Liam Lawson pushed him down the order and triggered a virtual safety car.
“I felt like I was one of the only people who actually braked to take the corner… I got barged out of the way,” he said, sounding frustrated by the chaos. Although he was quick in clean air, Piastri struggled in traffic and couldn’t regain enough ground.
He was promoted to fourth place after Kimi Antonelli failed to serve a five-second penalty, but this result still leaves his title campaign on unstable footing. Looking ahead to the final two races, Piastri said he will focus on preparation and finishing the year strongly: “It would be nice to get some good results on the board to finish the year.”
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
