FIA Disqualifies McLaren from Las Vegas GP Due to Skid Block Wear

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix results due to excessive wear on their rear skid blocks, a decision confirmed by FIA stewards despite McLaren's arguments of mitigating circumstances.

Why it matters:

McLaren's disqualification from the Las Vegas GP carries significant implications for the constructor's championship battle, especially with rivals gaining points. Adherence to technical regulations, no matter how minor the infringement, underscores the FIA's commitment to maintaining a level playing field, even when teams plead unintentional breaches. This incident highlights the razor-thin margins and stringent rules that govern Formula 1 racing.

The Details:

• Both Lando Norris (Car 4) and Oscar Piastri (Car 81) were found in breach of Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations, which stipulates a minimum skid block thickness of 9mm.
• Measurements confirmed the rear skids of Car 4 were below the minimum, with readings of 8.88mm (RHS Front) and 8.93mm (RHS Rear). These measurements were re-confirmed in the presence of McLaren representatives and the stewards, showing even lower values than initially recorded.
• McLaren's Defense: The team argued for mitigating circumstances, citing "additional and unexpected porpoising" during the event, limited testing opportunities due to weather on Day 1, and shortened practice sessions. They also claimed the degree of the breach was less severe than previous infractions in 2025.
• FIA's Stance: The FIA acknowledged that while they believed the breach was unintentional and not a deliberate attempt to circumvent regulations, there was no provision in the rules or precedent for any penalty other than disqualification for such technical infringements.
• Stewards' Conclusion: Despite McLaren's suggestion of accidental damage potentially causing floor movement and additional wear, the stewards deemed this insufficient to mitigate the penalty, enforcing the standard disqualification for the technical breach.

The Big Picture:

Technical regulations in F1 are strict for a reason: to ensure fairness and prevent any team from gaining an unfair advantage, even inadvertently. This incident is a stark reminder that even slight deviations from the rules can lead to severe consequences, regardless of intent. While McLaren's season has been strong, this setback will undoubtedly fuel their motivation to meticulously scrutinize every detail moving forward.

What's Next:

This disqualification will force McLaren to be even more vigilant with their car's setup and component wear, especially as the season progresses. The team will need to ensure their car remains compliant with all technical regulations to avoid further penalties, which could severely impact their championship aspirations.