Max Verstappen championship support blows up as McLaren lose big in Las Vegas
McLaren's double disqualification in Las Vegas has slashed Lando Norris's title lead and fuelled growing backing for Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Support for Max Verstappen for the drivers' championship has increased after McLaren's double disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix blew the title fight wide open.
As Verstappen claimed another victory under the neon lights of the Las Vegas street circuit, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's second and fourth-place finishes turned into disqualifications for excessive plank wear.
With a P2 in Las Vegas, Norris temporarily extended his lead in the championship to 30 points over Piastri in second. But the disqualification leaves the Briton heading into the final two rounds of the season with 24 points over Piastri and Verstappen, who is now equal on points to the Australian.
Fans have shared their championship winner predictions on a Motorsport.com post, with the majority backing the Red Bull driver or current championship leader Norris to clinch the title.
Prior to the disqualifications, Verstappen discussed his title hopes.
"It's still a big gap but we always just try to maximise everything that we've got and this weekend that was first," the Dutchman said. "In the upcoming weekends we will try to win the race and at the end of Abu Dhabi we will see where we end up.
"I'm very proud of everyone. We've had a really up and down season and tough times but also really beautiful moments. We learned a lot throughout the season and that's very valuable for the upcoming years.
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
"It's something we'll cling on to and improve even more to come back stronger for next season and put up a fight from the start of the year in the championship. We are enjoying it now and will see next week what we can do."
Formula 1 now heads to Qatar for the first of the final two rounds of the season. Two grands prix and one sprint race remain.
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