McLaren Reacts to Double Disqualification in Las Vegas
McLaren's Andrea Stella and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have reacted to their double disqualification from the Las Vegas GP. Stella cited unexpected porpoising and accidental damage as reasons for excessive plank wear, emphasizing the breach was unintentional. Both drivers expressed frustration over losing vital points, with the team now focused on the remaining races to recover.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have addressed their unexpected double disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Both cars were found to have excessive plank wear, resulting in the loss of crucial championship points, which the team attributes to unforeseen porpoising and accidental damage.
Why it matters:
McLaren's disqualification in Las Vegas is a significant setback in their intense battle for championship positions, particularly for Norris and Piastri, who lost substantial points after strong performances. This incident highlights the fine line teams walk in pushing performance limits within strict technical regulations and the unforeseen challenges that can arise during a race.
The Details:
- Unexpected Porpoising: Team boss Andrea Stella explained that both cars experienced "unexpected, high levels of porpoising" during the race, which was not observed in practice sessions. This led to excessive ground contact.
- Accidental Damage: Investigations after the race revealed accidental damage to both cars, which contributed to increased floor movement and exacerbated the porpoising.
- Unintentional Breach: The FIA acknowledged that the breach was unintentional, with no deliberate attempt to circumvent regulations, and that mitigating circumstances existed.
- Points Lost: Lando Norris missed out on 18 points, while Oscar Piastri also lost considerable points, impacting their respective championship campaigns.
- Driver Reactions: Both Norris and Piastri expressed frustration over the lost points. Norris stated they "didn't get that balance right today," while Piastri acknowledged, "we didn't get it right this time" in their pursuit of performance gains.
What's next:
McLaren's focus now shifts entirely to the final two races of the season. The team is committed to analyzing the root causes of the Las Vegas incident to prevent recurrence and aims to deliver strong performances in Qatar and the season finale to recover lost ground in the championships. This incident serves as a crucial learning experience as they continue to push the boundaries of car performance.