McLaren has publicly apologized to their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, following their disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The duo had finished in second and fourth place in the race, but 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 released by McLaren 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 this limit by 0.12mm, while Car 81 surpassed it by 0.26mm.
The team explained that during the race, both cars unexpectedly experienced significant levels of porpoising, leading to excessive contact with the ground. They are currently investigating the factors contributing to this behavior, including accidental damages sustained by the cars post-race, resulting in increased floor movement.
Acknowledging that the breach was unintentional and without any deliberate intent to circumvent regulations, McLaren expressed regret to Norris and Piastri for the loss of points at a crucial stage in their Championship campaigns. The team also extended apologies to their partners and fans for the setback.
Despite the disappointment, McLaren affirmed their unwavering focus on the remaining two races of the season. The disqualification has reshuffled the Drivers’ World Championship standings, with Norris maintaining his lead with 390 points, followed closely by Piastri. However, Max Verstappen’s victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix has put him level with Piastri, injecting a new element of competition for the title race.
Both Norris and Piastri expressed their disappointment over the disqualification, setting the stage for an intense final showdown in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. With the title race heating up, the upcoming races promise thrilling action and potential surprises, adding to the excitement of the season finale.