Norris and Piastri Disqualified from Las Vegas GP After Skid Block Infringement

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after their cars failed post-race technical inspections, significantly impacting the championship standings with two rounds remaining. Norris, who initially finished second, and Piastri, who took fourth, had their results nullified due to excessive wear on the skid blocks of their cars.

Why it matters:

This disqualification drastically alters the F1 title race. Max Verstappen, initially third, is now elevated to second, gaining crucial points. Norris now leads Piastri and Verstappen by 24 points, making the upcoming Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix even more critical. With a maximum of 58 points available over the remaining two events, including a Sprint in Qatar, Verstappen's chances for a record-equalling fifth world title have received a significant boost.

The details:

• Technical Infringement: Both McLaren cars' right-hand side skid blocks were found to be below the minimum thickness of 9mm, measuring 8.88mm on the front and 8.93mm on the rear. This constitutes a breach of the Technical Regulations.
• Team's Defense: McLaren argued that mitigating circumstances, such as unexpected porpoising during the event, limited testing opportunities due to weather on Day 1, and shortened practice sessions, contributed to the issue. They also submitted that the degree of the breach was minor compared to previous infractions of this regulation.
• FIA's Stance: The FIA acknowledged that while they believed the breach was unintentional and not a deliberate attempt to circumvent regulations, there was no provision in the rules or precedent for any penalty other than disqualification.
• Championship Impact: The updated results see Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Williams' Carlos Sainz move into the top five. Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar is now sixth, and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg is seventh. Lewis Hamilton is classified eighth, with Haas drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman now scoring points in ninth and tenth.

Between the lines:

Sky Sports' Nigel Chiu suggested that the 'porpoising' experienced by the McLaren cars in Las Vegas, combined with disrupted practice sessions, might have led to miscalculations. Teams often run their cars as close to the ground as possible for maximum downforce and speed, but this increases the risk of skid block wear. The fast race with minimal interruptions meant drivers could push harder, potentially exacerbating the wear beyond what McLaren anticipated.

What's next:

The F1 season's concluding triple-header continues this week with the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint weekend. All eyes will be on Norris and Verstappen as they battle for the championship, with every point now more critical than ever following the dramatic events in Las Vegas. The season finale will then take place in Abu Dhabi on December 5-7.