(Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)

LAS VEGAS -- A stunning and potentially championship-altering development unraveled in the hours immediately following the Las Vegas Grand Prix early Sunday morning as McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified for skid wear that was less than the required thickness.

Norris had finished second and Piastri fourth in the race behind winner and fellow championship contender Max Verstappen.

The post-race inspection by F1A technical delegates found the rearmost skid wear on both McLaren MCL39 machines was found to be below the minimum 9mm thickness, leading a referral to race stewards. A re-measurement, in the presence of McLaren representatives, not only confirmed the violation but the measurements were even lower than first measured by the technical delegate.

McLaren argued there were mitigating circumstances, according to F1A, with stewards dismissing the argument while 'the FIA noted that it strongly held the view that the breach was unintentional and that there was not a deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations.'

The violation has exclusively resulted in disqualifications when brought to question in post-race investigations, most recently resulting in Nico Hulkenberg's disqualification at this past April's Bahrain Grand Prix.

With the two McLaren drivers being disqualified, Red Bull's Verstappen drew even with Piastri at 366 points and moved within immediate striking distance of leader Norris (390) with two weekends remaining on the Formula 1 schedule.

Norris is seeking his first World Drivers' Championship going into next weekend's Qatar Grand Prix. Now, a piping-hot Verstappen will be right on his tail in pursuit of his fifth consecutive title.

--Will Despart, Field Level Media