McLaren Disqualified from Las Vegas GP After Skid Wear Breach
McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after their rear skids were found to be worn below the regulatory minimum thickness. This decision has drastically altered the championship standings, causing a 25-point swing for Max Verstappen and significantly tightening the points battle among top contenders with only two races and a Sprint remaining. The unexpected ruling reshuffles the race results and underscores the strict enforcement of F1's technical regulations.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have both been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after post-race checks revealed their rear skids were worn below the minimum 9mm thickness required by regulations. This decision dramatically reshapes the championship standings, turning a potential eight-point gain for Max Verstappen into a 25-point swing and significantly impacting the points race among Norris, Piastri, and other drivers.
Why it matters:
McLaren's double disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix is a major blow to their championship aspirations and significantly alters the points landscape. This incident underscores the FIA's strict adherence to technical regulations and the profound impact even minor breaches can have on race outcomes and season standings, especially as the championship heads into its final crucial rounds.
The details:
- Regulation Breach: Both Lando Norris's and Oscar Piastri's cars were found to have rear skids measuring less than the mandated 9mm minimum thickness, a direct violation of Technical Regulation Article 3.5.9 e).
- Stewards' Decision: Following over two hours of deliberation, the stewards confirmed the breach and excluded both McLaren drivers from the race results.
- Championship Impact: The disqualification has significant ramifications for the drivers' championship.
- Max Verstappen, initially gaining eight points, now sees a 25-point swing, placing him level with Piastri.
- Norris, who finished second, now loses significant points, putting him 24 points ahead of Piastri and Verstappen.
- With two races and a Sprint remaining, 58 points are still available, making the fight for the top spots even tighter.
- Race Standings Reshuffle: The updated race results see substantial changes:
- George Russell moves to second, and Kimi Antonelli to third.
- Charles Leclerc rises to fourth, Carlos Sainz fifth, Isack Hadjar sixth, Nico Hulkenberg seventh, and Lewis Hamilton eighth.
- The Haas pair, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, also climbed into the points, benefiting from the disqualifications.
- Prior Concerns: During the final laps of the Grand Prix, Norris notably slowed down, losing around 14 seconds to Verstappen. While initially attributed to fuel-saving, radio messages indicated the team was monitoring fuel levels, and Norris later hinted at "some issues with the car," the exact cause of which he did not fully understand.
- Technical Inspection: The Race reported that both McLarens were held longer than usual in parc ferme, with Team Principal Andrea Stella seen in discussion with FIA technical officials. FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer's statement confirmed the referral to stewards, citing measurements of the rearmost skid being below the required 9mm thickness.
What's next:
The full implications of this disqualification will unfold in the coming races, adding an unpredictable element to the closing stages of the F1 season. Teams will undoubtedly scrutinize their own car setups even more meticulously to avoid similar technical breaches, as the FIA's strict enforcement could have championship-altering consequences. McLaren will now need to regroup quickly and ensure full compliance to minimize any further setbacks in their fight for constructor and driver standings.