Jonas LeoThe International Automobile Federation (FIA) is reportedly examining the double disqualification of McLaren from the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown revealing that even the sport’s governing body considers the penalty to be "a bit draconian." The contentious ruling, which stripped Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of valuable points for finishing second and fourth respectively, stemmed from a marginal infringement involving excessive wear on the cars’ underfloor planks.
The incident occurred following a high-stakes race on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, a new and highly anticipated addition to the Formula 1 calendar. Norris had driven an impressive race to secure P2, while rookie sensation Piastri continued his strong form with a fourth-place finish, seemingly cementing a significant points haul for the Woking-based outfit. However, post-race scrutineering found both MCL39 cars non-compliant with the technical regulations, specifically Article 3.5.9 e) of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, which dictates a minimum thickness for the plank. The stewards’ report confirmed that the thickness measured on the forward part of the plank was below the permissible 9mm tolerance, with a maximum permissible wear of 1mm.
Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, Zak Brown articulated the team’s perspective, describing the violation as a "very minor mistake with huge consequences." He emphasized the severity of a double disqualification, particularly for a team that had achieved such strong results. "Getting disqualified from a race doesn’t get worse. Second and fourth, I think we were," Brown stated, underscoring the immediate and substantial impact on McLaren’s championship aspirations.
The repercussions were indeed significant for the Drivers’ Championship. Lando Norris, who had been performing exceptionally well and was positioned as a key contender, saw his championship lead reduced to a mere 24 points ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s dominant driver, Max Verstappen. Prior to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Norris had been enjoying a consistent run of podium finishes and strong points hauls, establishing himself as the championship leader. The loss of 30 points (18 for second place, 12 for fourth) not only eroded his buffer but also tightened the battle at the top as the season entered its crucial final three races. For Piastri, who has consistently impressed in his debut season, the loss of points was a missed opportunity to further solidify his standing and contribute to the Constructors’ Championship.
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Brown also highlighted the broader context of such technical infringements within Formula 1, noting that McLaren was not alone in having faced similar issues. "Many other teams have had the same violation. It’s unintentional. It’s not performance-enhancing," he asserted. To support this claim, he referenced recent precedents: "Ferrari and Mercedes have both been disqualified for the same thing in the last couple of years." This was a direct allusion to the 2023 United States Grand Prix where Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) were both disqualified from second and sixth place respectively for similar plank wear violations. In those instances, like McLaren’s, the teams attributed the excessive wear to the bumpy nature of the circuit and car setup challenges. These previous rulings underscore the strict interpretation of technical regulations, even for minor deviations, and set a precedent for the severity of the penalty. The "thickness of a piece of paper," as Brown graphically described the extent of McLaren’s infringement, typically translates to a deviation of less than 0.2mm beyond the permitted wear.
Delving into the technical specifics, Brown provided insight into the cause of McLaren’s plank wear in Las Vegas. He explained that excessive skid wear can typically result from two primary factors: running the car too low, which is a clear breach of regulations designed to prevent unfair aerodynamic advantage, or "porpoising." Porpoising refers to the aerodynamic phenomenon where the car rapidly bounces up and down at high speeds, particularly in ground-effect cars like those in the current F1 era. This oscillation can cause the plank, a mandatory wooden skid block fitted to the underside of the car, to repeatedly strike the track surface, leading to accelerated wear.
McLaren’s analysis pointed to the latter cause. "We weren’t running too low. What we had was too much porpoising that came from a lack of data coming out of Thursday and Friday where all the sessions were raining," Brown clarified. The unique challenges of the Las Vegas Street Circuit, combined with adverse weather conditions during critical practice sessions, played a pivotal role. Wet track conditions severely limited the teams’ ability to gather crucial dry-weather data, particularly regarding car ride height, suspension settings, and aerodynamic performance. This data is essential for optimizing car setup to prevent porpoising and manage plank wear over a full race distance. Without adequate dry running, teams are forced to make educated guesses, increasing the risk of encountering unforeseen issues during the race.
The revelation that the FIA is actively "looking at it" suggests a potential internal review of the proportionality of the penalty for such minor technical infringements. Brown noted that the governing body "also feel that the penalty is a bit draconian, but it’s what the rules say." This acknowledgement from the FIA could potentially pave the way for future discussions regarding adjustments to the technical regulations or the penalty framework to better account for the intent and material impact of minor breaches. Formula 1 has historically grappled with the balance between strict rule enforcement to maintain a level playing field and ensuring that penalties are commensurate with the nature of the offense.
Despite the frustration, Brown maintained a pragmatic and accountable stance. While acknowledging that "nine other teams did get it right," he conceded, "So at the end of the day, we got it wrong. And the rules are the rules." He dismissed any suggestions of foul play or that the FIA intentionally targeted McLaren to inject "jeopardy" into the championship battle. "I’ve had a lot of people ask me. If that came out of my mouth, it would kind of feel like an excuse. So I’m kind of not going to go there. I’m going to kind of go, ‘we got it wrong,’" Brown stated firmly. "Yes, the rules are a bit draconian. Yes, it didn’t make a performance… Well, we got it wrong at the end of the day. And the rules are the rules. I can’t sit here and enforce the rules on the competition, and then when they come our way, go, ‘well, kind of close is close enough.’"
The immediate aftermath of the disqualification saw emotions running high within the McLaren camp. However, with the Qatar Grand Prix week commencing almost immediately after the Las Vegas race, the team quickly refocused its efforts. "So of course I was angry, as was the whole team Saturday night, even Sunday. But then you get some good sleep, kind of let the drivers alone for 48 hours. And then everyone reengages and everyone realises a season’s 24 races, not one," Brown explained, illustrating the resilience and forward-looking mindset required in top-tier motorsport. McLaren’s recent trajectory has seen them emerge as consistent front-runners, and the team will be eager to put the Las Vegas setback behind them as they navigate the remainder of the competitive season.
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- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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