Nov 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (4) drives during Las Vegas Grand Prix at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

The 2025 Formula 1 championship battle is starting to heat up. With two races left in the 2025 Formula 1 season, Lando Norris leads the standings with no room for a non-points day. Norris holds a 24-point lead over Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen heading into Qatar this weekend.

The McLaren drivers would have been in better spots compared to Verstappen; however, they were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after excessive plank wear. Norris, who would have been over one race ahead of Piastri, now sits only 24 points above both drivers.

Norris still has a healthy lead, but one wreck, mechanical issue, or disqualification puts him at risk of losing the championship. The McLaren driver can also clinch the 2025 Formula 1 championship if he earns two more points than Piastri and Verstappen during the weekend in Qatar.

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: F1 championship heats up after McLaren's DQ at Las Vegas in 2025

Reporting by Austin Konenski, Motorsports Wire / Motorsports Wire

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