McLaren has expressed regret to their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, following their disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite finishing in second and fourth place in the race, the team faced scrutiny from race stewards due to potential issues with the minimum width of the rearmost skid on their cars.
In a statement issued by McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, it was revealed that the team had breached Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations, which mandates a minimum skid thickness of 9mm. Car 4 exceeded the limit by 0.12mm, while Car 81 surpassed it by 0.26mm.
The statement also highlighted that both cars experienced unexpected porpoising during the race, leading to increased ground contact. McLaren is currently investigating the factors contributing to this unusual behavior, including accidental damage sustained by the cars post-race.
Acknowledging that the breach was unintentional and devoid of any deliberate intent to infringe regulations, McLaren extended apologies to Norris and Piastri for the loss of points incurred, especially given their commendable performances throughout the weekend. The team also expressed regret to their supporters and partners for the setback.
Despite the disappointing outcome, McLaren remains steadfast in their focus on the remaining two races of the season. The disqualification has reshuffled the standings in the Drivers’ World Championship, with Norris maintaining his lead with 390 points and Verstappen now in contention alongside Piastri.
Both drivers expressed their disappointment at the disqualification, emphasizing the competitive nature of the upcoming races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. As the season finale approaches, the racing community anticipates a thrilling conclusion with unpredictable outcomes on the horizon.