McLaren Apologizes for Double Disqualification in Las Vegas, Citing Unexpected Porpoising and Vehicle Damage.

Woking, UK – McLaren Racing has formally apologized to its Formula 1 drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, following a significant double disqualification at the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix. The team confirmed that the costly technical infraction, which saw both drivers stripped of their second and fifth-place finishes respectively, was a result of unforeseen car behavior during the race. The disqualification effectively nullified what had been a strong performance for the Woking-based squad on the streets of Las Vegas.

The incident stemmed from post-race technical inspections, where the skid blocks, or ‘planks,’ beneath both MCL38 cars were found to have exceeded the permissible wear limits stipulated by Formula 1’s stringent technical regulations. According to the FIA’s technical directives, the plank, a mandatory component designed to prevent cars from running excessively low and exploiting ground effect aerodynamics unfairly, must maintain a minimum thickness of 9mm at certain points, with an initial thickness of 10mm. Any wear exceeding 1mm is considered a breach.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella elaborated on the circumstances leading to the infringement. In a post-race press release, Stella explained that both cars experienced "unexpected, high levels of porpoising" during the Grand Prix, a phenomenon not observed during the preceding practice sessions. This excessive vertical oscillation, coupled with what was later discovered to be "accidental damage sustained by both cars," led to an increased movement of the floor and, consequently, abnormal contact with the track surface. The team asserted that this combination of factors resulted in the excessive plank wear.

Porpoising, an aerodynamic phenomenon where a car rapidly bounces up and down, was a prominent issue for many teams following the introduction of new ground-effect aerodynamic regulations in 2022. While largely mitigated by teams over time, it can still manifest under specific conditions, particularly on bumpy circuits or with unexpected changes in track characteristics. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit, a newly introduced street circuit, presented a unique set of challenges with its long straights and varying tarmac surfaces, potentially exacerbating the issue for the McLaren chassis. The team indicated a thorough investigation would be launched to understand the precise reasons behind this unexpected behavior.

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Despite McLaren’s exhaustive attempts to present mitigating circumstances to the FIA stewards, arguing that the breach was unintentional and not a deliberate effort to gain an unfair advantage, the governing body maintained a strict interpretation of the technical regulations. The stewards acknowledged the team’s transparency and the unintentional nature of the infringement but ultimately ruled that the regulations must be applied uniformly, leading to the disqualification of both Norris and Piastri.

The loss of points carries significant implications for McLaren in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Lando Norris’s impressive second-place finish would have added 18 crucial points to his tally, while Oscar Piastri’s fifth place would have contributed 10 points. These 28 points are particularly vital in the tight battle for positions within the Constructors’ standings. McLaren, having enjoyed a strong resurgence in the latter half of the season, had been consolidating its position, and this penalty represents a substantial setback. The incident also impacts the drivers’ individual championship aspirations, particularly for Piastri, who is in his rookie season and has been demonstrating remarkable form. The original article’s reference to Max Verstappen’s championship lead, while perhaps a misstatement regarding direct competition with Norris/Piastri for the overall title (which Verstappen had already secured), highlights the general impact on standings and the constant fight for every point in Formula 1.

Andrea Stella conveyed the team’s profound regret over the outcome. "We apologize 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," Stella stated. "As a team, we also apologize to our partners and fans, whose support means so much. While this outcome is extremely disappointing, we remain fully focused on the last two races of the season."

Both drivers expressed their frustration but also signaled a clear determination to move forward. Lando Norris commented on the situation, stating, "As a team, we’re always pushing to find as much performance as we can, and we clearly didn’t get that balance right today. Nothing I can do will change that now, instead full focus switches to Qatar, where we’ll aim to go out and deliver the best possible performance in every session." His sentiments were echoed by Oscar Piastri: "Disappointing to come away from this weekend with no points after an unfortunate disqualification due to skid wear. With how close the grid is, we’re always looking at where we can gain performance, and we didn’t get it right this time. We now need to reset, refocus and push to get the best points possible in the final two rounds, both tracks that we’ve been strong at previously."

McLaren’s season has been marked by a remarkable turnaround, with significant upgrades transforming their car from a midfield contender to a regular podium challenger. This disqualification, while a blow, comes as the team prepares for the final two rounds of the championship in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. These circuits present different challenges from Las Vegas, and McLaren will be keen to avoid any further technical mishaps as they aim to maximize their points haul and solidify their standing against fierce competitors. The team’s rapid investigation into the porpoising and accidental damage will be crucial to ensure a clean slate for the concluding races of what has been a compelling season of recovery and growth for the Woking outfit.

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Jonas Leo: 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.