McLaren's Las Vegas Debacle: Blunder or Calculated Risk?

McLaren suffered a significant setback in Las Vegas, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disqualified after their cars exceeded plank wear limits. Jos Verstappen labeled it a "huge blunder," questioning the team's decision to push the setup to the extreme, especially given their championship standing.

Why it matters:

McLaren's double disqualification in Las Vegas dealt a major blow to their championship aspirations, especially for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This incident not only cost them crucial points but also provided a "huge stroke of luck" for Max Verstappen, significantly tightening the title race and adding immense pressure on the Woking team as the season nears its conclusion.

The Details:

• Plank Wear Infringement: Both McLaren cars, driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, were found to have exceeded the maximum plank wear allowed under race conditions. Norris had two measurements below the 9mm skid block limit (front right at 8.88mm, right rear at 8.93mm), while Piastri had three illegal measurements (front left at 8.96mm, front right at 8.74mm, right rear at 8.90mm).
• Team Explanation: Team Principal Andrea Stella attributed the excessive wear to "unexpected, high levels of porpoising" experienced by both cars during the race, which were not observed in practice sessions, leading to increased ground contact.
• Championship Impact: The disqualification resulted in Norris losing 18 points and Piastri losing 12 points. This dramatically narrowed the gap to Max Verstappen, who was previously 42 points behind Norris but is now only 24 points adrift. Verstappen is also tied with Piastri on 336 points.
• Jos Verstappen's Criticism: Jos Verstappen, Max's father, criticized McLaren, calling it a "huge blunder." He questioned why the team would push their car setup to the limit, especially when they had an advantage in the standings. He also revealed that Max was aware of the impending disqualifications before leaving the circuit.

Between the lines:

Jos Verstappen also highlighted another critical mistake: Lando Norris's overly aggressive move at Turn 1 at the start of the race. Norris, starting from pole, made a lunge across the track to block Max Verstappen but carried too much speed, losing the lead and dropping to third. Jos described it as "too aggressive" and suggested Norris was overly focused on Max, forgetting to brake. He implied that while McLaren CEO Zak Brown has often criticized Max's aggressive driving, he might now need to address his own driver's tactics.

What's next:

The pressure is now squarely on McLaren. While Norris could still win the championship if he finishes second in every remaining race and Max wins, Piastri is also a contender, making the intra-team dynamics more complex. Jos Verstappen noted a clear difference in how the two McLarens handle corners, raising questions about their setups. With everything to play for, Max Verstappen, having "nothing to lose," is expected to go all out on the attack, setting the stage for an incredibly exciting end to the season.