McLaren Apologizes, Vows Investigation After Las Vegas Double Disqualification

McLaren has issued an apology and committed to a thorough investigation following the double disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The team's two cars were found to have excessive plank wear, violating Formula 1's technical regulations and stripping both drivers of their hard-earned points.

Why it matters:

This disqualification is a significant blow to McLaren, particularly at a critical juncture in the constructors' championship. Losing valuable points directly impacts their standing against rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari, especially as the season nears its conclusion. It also raises questions about the balance between pushing for performance and adhering to strict technical regulations in the highly competitive world of F1.

The Details:

• Both Lando Norris, who finished second, and Oscar Piastri, who took fourth, were excluded after post-race inspections revealed their cars' skid blocks were worn beyond the minimum 9mm thickness.
• McLaren stated the transgression was "unintentional" and not a deliberate attempt to gain an advantage, a position accepted by the FIA. However, the FIA had no choice but to enforce the regulations, mirroring a similar disqualification for Ferrari at the Chinese GP in April.
• Team Principal Andrea Stella expressed apologies to the drivers, fans, and sponsors, highlighting the unexpected "high levels of porpoising" during the race, which led to excessive ground contact.
• Accidental Damage: Stella noted that post-race inspections revealed "accidental damage sustained by both cars," contributing to increased floor movement and exacerbated plank wear.
• Strategic Risk: There's speculation that McLaren may have been taking aggressive risks with ride height to extract maximum performance, a tactic other teams, including Red Bull, have been suggested to employ under the current ground effect rules.
  • Running cars as low as possible is a key performance driver but also a high-risk area for plank legality, as evidenced by previous disqualifications of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton at the 2023 US GP for similar reasons.
• Radio communications: Late in the race, Norris was asked to manage his pace due to what was publicly stated as fuel concerns. However, reports suggest this was a ruse to mask concerns over plank wear, indicating the team was aware of potential issues.

What's next:

McLaren's investigation will be crucial in understanding the precise causes of the excessive plank wear and preventing future occurrences. The team remains focused on the final two races of the season, aiming to recover from this setback. The incident underscores the continuous challenge F1 teams face in balancing performance optimization with stringent technical compliance, a dynamic that will undoubtedly influence car design and race strategy heading into the next season.