This is an article of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) technical regulations, thicker than any other, that Formula 1 teams and drivers cannot ignore. In the past, some of them have been singled out for non-compliance with this point 3.5.9, as frightening as the zeal shown by the race committee to verify its strict implementation. Some of these lines and their consequences may have revived all interest in the end of the 2025 season of the Formula 1 world championship, Sunday November 23, a very likely outcome at the end of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
At the Nevada circuit, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won for the sixth time this year, confirming his comeback. But the four-time world champion was realistic after the race: “The gap in the championship is still very significant. » Lando Norris (McLaren), today’s runner-up, can be satisfied with 2nd place, which consolidates his comfortable lead in the drivers’ standings in the two Grand Prix at the end of the season: “Second place is still a solid result and gives us good points for the championship. »
Two hours after the race ended, the FIA announced the summons of McLaren driver and teammate Oscar Piastri, ranked 4th in Las Vegas, for a potential breach of the notorious article 3.5.9 of the rules, which details a series of standards that must be adhered to in single-seater undercarriage. The wear on the second floor of the “Papaye” car was then studied carefully, to find out whether it was less than the required limit of 9 millimeters.
Two hours later, the race commissioners announced their decision: both drivers were disqualified and their points accumulated in “Sin City” were withdrawn. After throwing champagne onto the podium, Max Verstappen celebrated for the second time. The sanctions against McLaren drivers are not surprising. The FIA is often stubborn regarding this particular rule and generally opts for disqualification. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) suffered a similar accident during the Chinese Grand Prix at the start of the season.
More than 24 points ahead for Norris
“The aim of the game in F1 is to push yourself to the limits of all parameters, everywhere. To reach the last gram of weight, to reach the last tenth of a millimeter of the skate. (floor wear indicator)to arrive at the last millimeter of aileron deformation »Frédéric Vasseur, director of the French Scuderia, later justified himself. But with two Grands Prix remaining at the end of the season, does the McLaren team have any interest in flirting with the regulatory limits too much?
Because currently the situation is very different in the race for racer classification. Lando Norris still has the advantage and leading position (390 points), but is only 24 points ahead of his two competitors. Oscar Piastri, who has not been on the podium in seven races and the Grand Prix of Monza (Italy), on September 7, is second, on the same points as Max Verstappen (366 points). The Australian remains ahead of the Dutchman in the standings as he has one more win than him this season.
However, the dynamics tend to favor the four-time world champion at the end of the season. After Lando Norris’ two successes in Mexico and Brazil, Max Verstappen took another win and, with this round, could keep the pressure on the Briton and Oscar Piastri. Seemingly promised to the McLaren drivers just weeks ago, the title is far from over. The three competitors will decide between themselves over the final three races of the season: the sprint and the Doha (Qatar) Grand Prix, next weekend, before the race in Abu Dhabi, on December 7.
