Jos Verstappen: McLaren's Vegas DSQ a 'Huge Blunder,' Piles Pressure on Team

McLaren's double disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for excessive skid block wear has been branded a "huge blunder" by Jos Verstappen, intensifying the pressure on the team ahead of the final two races. The penalty stripped Lando Norris of a second-place finish and Oscar Piastri of fourth, significantly tightening the championship battle.

Why it matters:

McLaren's technical infringement transformed Norris's comfortable championship lead into a precarious 24-point advantage over both Max Verstappen and teammate Piastri, who are now tied. This blunder could critically impact McLaren's title aspirations and the championship's dramatic conclusion, potentially shifting momentum entirely.

The Details:

• Technical Breach: Post-race scrutiny by the FIA found that the skid blocks on both Lando Norris's and Oscar Piastri's cars had worn beyond the legal limit, a violation of fundamental technical regulations.
• Penalty: The double disqualification removed Norris's crucial second-place finish and Piastri's solid fourth, reducing Norris's championship lead to just 24 points over Max Verstappen and Piastri, who are now level.
• Verstappen's Assessment: Jos Verstappen criticized McLaren's risk-taking, questioning why the team pushed so aggressively close to the edge of legality. "This is a big mistake from McLaren, a huge blunder, yes. Because why would you push so much on the limit?"
• Pre-Announcement Knowledge: Jos Verstappen revealed that the Red Bull camp knew about the impending disqualification even before the official FIA announcement. This was partly due to Lando Norris significantly slowing down at the end of the race, initially thought to be fuel saving, but now seen as an attempt to reduce further plank wear.
• Team Dynamics: Jos also hinted at perceived differences in the two McLaren cars' setups, stating, "You can clearly see a difference between the two McLarens on track, how they go through the corners. One slides, the other doesn’t, and that raises questions."

What's next:

With the championship points now equivalent to just one race victory, McLaren has no room for error in the remaining races in Qatar (featuring a Sprint) and Abu Dhabi. Jos Verstappen believes the pressure on McLaren is now "enormous."

• While Norris could still win the championship by finishing second in both remaining races if Max Verstappen wins them, Oscar Piastri's presence as a rival further complicates McLaren's internal dynamics.
• Jos Verstappen remains optimistic about his son's chances, noting that Max "has nothing to lose and can go all-out."

This incident has served as a significant warning, with Red Bull poised to capitalize on McLaren's misstep.