McLaren’s Dream of F1 Glory Shattered by Shocking Las Vegas Disqualification
In a heart-stopping turn of events at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, McLaren’s aspirations for a historic Formula 1 season were dashed as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced disqualification, leaving the team reeling and fans in disbelief. This shocking outcome not only eliminated their chance to secure a legendary record in the Constructors’ Championship but also sparked a wave of outrage among supporters.
Just months ago, McLaren appeared destined for greatness. The summer break had fans buzzing with excitement as the team consistently dominated the circuit, racking up four stunning one-two finishes in Austria, Britain, Belgium, and Hungary. Hopes were high; many believed they could become the first team to eclipse the monumental 1,000 points mark in a single season. With the potential to achieve a staggering 1,043 points, McLaren seemed on the verge of rewriting the record books.
However, the dream began to unravel as the season progressed. A disappointing DNF for Norris at Zandvoort and Piastri’s worrying dip in performance signaled trouble ahead. By the time the Las Vegas race rolled around, the grand vision of hitting 1,000 points had slipped through their fingers. Yet, there was still a glimmer of hope: the record for the most points scored in a Constructors’ Championship season was within reach.
The coveted record, currently held by Red Bull, stands at a jaw-dropping 860 points, achieved during Max Verstappen’s dominating 2023 season where he clinched an incredible 21 wins in 22 races. McLaren, with their season’s total of 833 points—423 from Norris and 410 from Piastri—was tantalizingly close, just 27 points shy of claiming the title for themselves.
But fate had other plans. After the disqualification, the crucial points from Norris’s second-place finish (18 points) and Piastri’s hard-fought fourth place (12 points) were stripped away due to excessive plank wear. This outrageous ruling meant that McLaren’s final tally was not only short of Red Bull’s record but left fans questioning the fairness of the decision. Had those 30 points remained, McLaren would have soared to 863 points, establishing themselves as the new kings of the Constructors’ Championship.
It’s essential to note that the 2023 season had 22 Grands Prix and included six Sprint races, offering an additional 22 points for race fastest laps—factors that make this record-breaking pursuit even more complicated. The absence of such points in previous seasons adds an extra layer of intrigue to McLaren’s near-miss.
As fans digest this painful turn of events, the question lingers: What could have been? McLaren’s disqualification at the Las Vegas GP is not just a setback; it’s a monumental blow to a team that had captured the hearts of F1 enthusiasts around the globe. The season may have ended, but the debate over this controversial disqualification will undoubtedly rage on, leaving McLaren and its supporters yearning for redemption in the seasons to come.









