Zak Brown: FIA Reviewing 'Draconian' Las Vegas DSQs

McLaren CEO Zak Brown revealed the FIA is re-evaluating the team's double disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, admitting the governing body also views the penalty as 'draconian'. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were stripped of their second and fourth-place finishes due to excessive plank wear, a 'minor mistake' with 'huge consequences' according to Brown.

Why it matters:

• This incident highlights the stringent nature of F1 technical regulations, where even minor infractions can lead to severe penalties, significantly impacting championship standings.
• Brown's comments suggest a potential shift in how the FIA might approach such technical infringements in the future, possibly leading to a review of penalty proportionality.
• The disqualification dealt a major blow to Norris's championship aspirations, tightening the race for the title in the season's final events.

The Details:

• Minor Infringement: Both McLaren cars were found with excessive plank wear, specifically by 'the thickness of a piece of paper,' a minute deviation from regulations.
• Previous Precedents: Brown noted that other top teams, including Ferrari and Mercedes, have faced disqualification for the same issue in recent years, indicating it's a recurring technical challenge.
• Cause of Wear: The excessive wear was attributed to 'porpoising' – the car bumping up and down due to aerodynamic instability – rather than the car running too low.
  • Data Impact: A lack of crucial data from rain-affected practice sessions on Thursday and Friday prevented McLaren from adequately addressing the porpoising issue before the race.
• FIA's View: Brown confirmed the FIA shares his sentiment that the penalty, though technically correct according to the rules, was 'a bit draconian' given the minor nature of the infringement and its lack of performance benefit.

Between the lines:

While acknowledging McLaren's error, Brown's revelation about the FIA's internal review suggests a recognition within the governing body that the current penalty structure for certain technical breaches might be overly harsh. This dialogue could pave the way for future rule adjustments or more nuanced penalty applications, aiming for penalties that are more proportionate to the offense, especially when no performance advantage was gained.

What's next:

• Though the Las Vegas results stand, the ongoing discussion with the FIA could influence how similar technical infringements are judged in upcoming seasons or even trigger a formal review of relevant regulations.
• McLaren immediately refocused on the subsequent races, emphasizing that a championship is determined over a full season, not a single event. The team aims to bounce back and maintain their fight in the constructors' and drivers' championships.