McLaren Roasted as 'Sparks Fly' Post Goes Viral After Double Las Vegas Disqualification

McLaren faced a wave of online ridicule after a social media post during the Las Vegas Grand Prix spectacularly backfired. Following a double disqualification for excessive plank wear, fans were quick to connect the team's 'Sparks Fly' caption to their regulatory breach, highlighting a moment of unfortunate timing for the Woking outfit.

Why it matters:

McLaren's double disqualification in Las Vegas, despite a strong on-track performance, underscores the razor-thin margins and strict technical regulations in Formula 1. While deemed unintentional, the breach cost the team crucial points, impacting both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships, and highlighting the severe consequences of even minor technical infractions.

The details:

• Double Disqualification: Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and fourth respectively, were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
• Regulatory Breach: The cars were found in violation of Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations due to excessive plank wear, a common area for technical scrutiny in F1.
• Stewards' Findings: Measurements confirmed the rear skids did not comply with regulations, with measurements even lower than initially recorded by the Technical Delegate.
• Unintentional Breach: The FIA acknowledged that the breach was unintentional and not a deliberate attempt to circumvent the rules, yet the disqualification stood.
• Viral Social Media Post: During the race, McLaren shared a photo of Piastri's car with the caption "Sparks Fly." This post quickly became the target of fan jokes after the disqualification, with comments like "Sparks flying, there goes the skid thickness" and "This aged like yogurt in the sun" flooding social media.

The big picture:

This incident adds another layer of drama to an already intense season for McLaren. The team has shown remarkable improvement throughout the year, consistently challenging the top teams. However, this double disqualification comes at a critical juncture, particularly affecting the Drivers' Championship fight. Max Verstappen's Las Vegas victory now puts him on equal points with Piastri, with both trailing championship leader Norris by just 24 points, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the season.

What's next:

Mclaren now heads to the Qatar Grand Prix, the first of the final two rounds of the season. The Qatar weekend will feature the last sprint race of the year, offering additional opportunities for drivers to score vital points. The team will be under pressure to rebound quickly and secure strong results to mitigate the impact of the Las Vegas disqualifications and maintain their championship aspirations heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.