McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella Explains Las Vegas Disqualification
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained the double disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, citing unexpected porpoising and minor underfloor damage that led to the floor planks being thinner than regulations. The FIA ruled the infringement unintentional, but the penalty significantly impacts McLaren's championship hopes and tightens the title fights.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has offered an explanation for the double disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, attributing it to unexpected porpoising and minor floor damage.
Why it matters:
McLaren's double disqualification in Las Vegas dealt a significant blow to their Constructors' Championship hopes and tightened the Drivers' Championship battle. The incident highlights the razor-thin margins and strict technical regulations in Formula 1, where even minor discrepancies can lead to severe penalties.
The Details:
- Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's cars were disqualified after the race due to their floor planks being thinner than the mandated 9mm minimum thickness.
- Norris's car was found to be a maximum of 0.12mm underweight, while Piastri's was 0.26mm underweight.
- Stella explained that during the race, both cars experienced "unexpectedly strong porpoising," which led to excessive contact with the ground.
- Additionally, damage to the underfloor was observed, which exacerbated the plank's wear.
- Crucially, the FIA acknowledged that there was no deliberate attempt by McLaren to circumvent the rules, deeming the infringement unintentional.
The Big Picture:
This disqualification is a major setback for McLaren, costing them valuable championship points. The incident has significantly impacted the Drivers' Championship standings, with Max Verstappen closing the gap to Norris to just 24 points. While McLaren currently leads the Constructors' Championship, this outcome puts increased pressure on the team for the remaining races.
What's next:
McLaren will need to address the porpoising issues and underfloor durability to prevent similar incidents in future races. The team has apologized to its drivers, partners, and fans, emphasizing their commitment to rectifying the situation. The battle for both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships is now wide open, promising an exciting conclusion to the season.