McLaren's strong performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been completely erased after both cars were disqualified for a technical infringement. The FIA discovered hours after Saturday's race that neither Lando Norris nor Oscar Piastri complied with Article 3.5.9(e) of the technical regulations regarding plank thickness.
The governing body found that the thickness of the titanium skid blocks underneath both MCL39 chassis measured below the mandatory minimum of 9mm. This violation affects the car's ride height and aerodynamic performance, giving teams an unfair advantage.
As a result, Norris loses his second-place finish and Piastri his fourth-place result from the 50-lap event around the 3.8-mile Las Vegas Strip Circuit. The disqualification represents a massive blow to McLaren's championship aspirations in the closing stages of the season.
The revised race results now show Max Verstappen maintaining his victory for Red Bull, with Mercedes' George Russell elevated to second place and teammate Kimi Antonelli moving up to third. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc inherits fourth position, while Williams driver Carlos Sainz Jr. rounds out the top five.
The championship implications are severe for both McLaren drivers. Instead of holding a 30-point advantage over Piastri and a 42-point lead over Verstappen, Norris now finds himself just 24 points clear of both rivals with two races remaining.
Norris retains the championship lead with 390 points, while Piastri and Verstappen are tied on 366 points. Mercedes' George Russell remains a distant fourth with 294 points, mathematically eliminated from title contention.
In the constructors' championship, McLaren maintains its lead with 756 points, though the lost points could prove crucial in their battle with Mercedes, who now have 431 points. The disqualification represents one of the most significant technical penalties of the season.
The FIA's technical delegation conducted routine post-race scrutineering that revealed the infringement. Teams are required to maintain certain plank wear limits to prevent teams from running cars too low to the ground, which improves aerodynamic performance.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the violation, stating, "We accept the FIA's findings and will conduct a thorough investigation into how this occurred. Our focus now shifts to ensuring compliance for the final races."
The championship battle now heads to the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi with three drivers separated by just 24 points, setting up a dramatic conclusion to the Formula 1 season.
Source: beyondtheflag.com