McLaren Reveals Cause of Double Las Vegas Disqualification
McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas GP due to excessive wear on their car's skid blocks. Team Principal Andrea Stella explained that unexpected and severe porpoising, aggravated by specific race conditions, was the root cause, negating their setup's safety margins. This incident marks a setback for McLaren's championship hopes, though the team is confident it won't affect upcoming races.
McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after their floor skid blocks exceeded maximum wear limits. Team Principal Andrea Stella attributed the issue to unexpected and severe porpoising, exacerbated by track conditions not anticipated from practice sessions. Despite McLaren's efforts to add a safety margin to their setup, the intense vertical oscillations negated these precautions.
Why it matters:
This double disqualification was a significant blow for McLaren, especially as both drivers are contending for the drivers' championship. While the team aims to bounce back, this incident highlights the fine line teams walk in optimizing car performance under unpredictable race conditions.
The details:
- Unexpected Porpoising: Andrea Stella stated that the primary cause was 'unexpected extensive porpoising,' leading to large vertical oscillations.
- Exacerbated Conditions: The porpoising was worsened by specific race conditions in Las Vegas, which were not predicted from practice data or car operating window simulations.
- Safety Margins Negated: McLaren had implemented safety margins in their ride height for qualifying and the race, but these were overcome by the severe and unanticipated vertical movement.
- Monitoring Challenges: The team noted that while Lando Norris's car could be better monitored via telemetry, Oscar Piastri's car presented difficulties after a grounding sensor failed.
- Ineffective Remedial Actions: Drivers attempted to mitigate porpoising, but due to the car's operating window and track characteristics, these actions were largely ineffective in reducing skid wear.
What's next:
Stella remains confident that the issues experienced in Las Vegas are specific to that track's unique characteristics and the car's operating window there. McLaren does not expect these problems to carry over into the final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The team will apply lessons learned to optimize their setup for the upcoming rounds, maintaining their established approach.