McLaren has publicly addressed the disqualification of their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, emphasizing the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the incident. The team expressed their apologies to both drivers for the setback, which comes at a critical juncture in their championship pursuits. Norris had finished in second place, solidly in contention for the Drivers’ Championship, while Piastri secured fourth. The disqualification due to excessive skid block wear, announced several hours after the race, significantly impacts their standings as they approach the final races of the season.
Team principal Andrea Stella articulated the team’s regret, stating, “We apologise to Lando and Oscar for the loss of points today, at a critical time in their championship campaigns after two strong performances from them all weekend.” The 24-point lead Norris holds over Piastri and Verstappen heading into the final two rounds, including the Sprint weekend in Qatar and the season finale in Abu Dhabi, only adds to the gravity of the situation.
The team has put forth their case to the stewards, citing that the red flags and unpredictable weather conditions during practice significantly hindered their ability to conduct dry runs. This unexpected limitation resulted in heightened porpoising during the race – a phenomenon where the car bounces due to aerodynamic issues.
Furthermore, Stella revealed that both cars sustained “accidental damage,” a factor that was only identified post-race. This damage contributed to increased floor movement and skid wear, leading to the breach of Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations, which mandates a minimum skid thickness. Car 4 (Norris) was found to exceed the allowable wear by 0.12mm, while Car 81 (Piastri) exceeded it by 0.26mm. The unintended nature of this breach underscores the challenges teams face in fine-tuning their vehicles under varying conditions.
In light of these developments, Norris, who remains hopeful despite the setback, expressed his frustrations after the race, reflecting on the need to manage the car’s performance in the concluding laps. “It’s frustrating to lose so many points,” he remarked, acknowledging the balancing act teams must navigate in pursuit of competitive performance. He emphasized the importance of refocusing ahead of the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, where he still has the potential to secure a championship lead of 26 points or more over his competitors.
Piastri echoed his disappointment regarding the disqualification, interpreting it as a missed opportunity to capitalize on their strong previous performances. He noted the competitiveness of the grid and the urgency to regain momentum in the final two rounds, where he aims to leverage past successes on familiar tracks.
As the McLaren team prepares for the remaining races, their collective focus is on recovering from this disheartening disqualification and ensuring that both drivers can maximize their points potential, showcasing the resilience and determination that has characterized their season thus far. The McLaren duo, driven by their team spirit and ambition, are geared up to tackle these final challenges head-on.
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