Double McLaren Disqualification Rocks Las Vegas GP After Verstappen's Victory

In a stunning post-race development, both McLaren drivers were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This bombshell announcement came after Lando Norris, who finished second, and Oscar Piastri, who secured fourth, both failed post-race FIA technical checks concerning excessive plank wear on their cars.

Why it matters:

This double disqualification has significant implications for the drivers' championship, particularly as Max Verstappen's victory in Las Vegas extends his lead. The incident also casts a shadow over McLaren's strong performance, erasing valuable points and potentially impacting their standing in the constructors' championship. It highlights the FIA's strict technical regulations and the unforgiving nature of Formula 1's scrutineering process.

The details:

• Post-Race Scrutiny: Following the checkered flag, both McLaren MCL38 cars underwent standard technical inspections by the FIA.
• Plank Wear Infraction: The cars were found to have plank wear exceeding the permissible limits, a breach of Article 3.1.2 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations.
• Immediate Disqualification: As a direct consequence of the technical infringement, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the official race results.
• Impact on Results: Norris's second-place finish and Piastri's fourth-place finish were nullified, effectively wiping their points haul from the Grand Prix. This dramatically alters the final standings and points distribution for the race.

The big picture:

This incident adds another layer of drama to what has already been an eventful season. While Verstappen's victory solidifies his position at the top, the McLaren disqualification reshuffles the midfield and potentially tightens battles further down the order. Such technical infringements, though rare for top teams, serve as a stark reminder of the precision and adherence to rules required in Formula 1. It also puts the spotlight on car design and operational scrutiny, especially in the demanding conditions of a new street circuit like Las Vegas.

What's next:

The McLaren team is expected to review the circumstances leading to the excessive plank wear and address any underlying issues to prevent future recurrences. For the championship, while Verstappen's lead is reinforced, the competitive landscape behind him remains fluid as teams vie for every possible point in the remaining races. This event will likely spark further discussions within the paddock regarding the stringency of technical checks and their impact on race outcomes.