FIA Summons Norris, Piastri and McLaren Over Skid Block Infringement in Las Vegas GP

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, along with the McLaren team, have been summoned by the FIA following an investigation into technical infringements after the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Both MCL39 cars were found to have skid blocks below the minimum required thickness.

Why it matters:

• Technical infringements, even minor ones, can lead to penalties ranging from fines to disqualifications, potentially affecting championship standings and team reputations.
• This incident highlights the FIA's strict adherence to technical regulations, ensuring fair competition across the grid.

The details:

• The FIA's investigation focused on the skid wear of car numbers 81 (Piastri) and 04 (Norris).
• The rearmost skid block on both cars was measured and found to be less than the mandated 9mm minimum thickness.
• FIA representatives, including Nikolas Tombazis, were observed in the McLaren garage post-race, indicating the seriousness of the issue.

The big picture:

• Skid blocks are crucial for maintaining the car's ride height and protecting the underfloor. Excessive wear can indicate running the car too low, potentially gaining an aerodynamic advantage.
• This type of technical scrutiny is common in F1, where teams constantly push the boundaries of regulations to extract maximum performance. Similar infringements have led to penalties for other teams in the past.

What's next:

• The summons means Norris, Piastri, and McLaren representatives will present their case to the stewards.
• The stewards will then determine if a breach of technical regulations occurred and, if so, decide on an appropriate penalty. Outcomes could range from a reprimand to disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.