McLaren’s Las Vegas Disqualification Ignites Championship Battle, Draws Scrutiny from Verstappen Camp

The aftermath of the Las Vegas Grand Prix has seen a dramatic shift in the drivers’ championship landscape, following McLaren’s double disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The decision has prompted strong criticism from Jos Verstappen, father of the reigning four-time champion Max Verstappen, who labeled McLaren’s actions a "huge blunder," suggesting a questionable approach to technical regulations.

The Woking-based outfit faced a significant setback when both Norris and Piastri, who had initially finished the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in second and fourth positions respectively, were found to have violated Formula 1’s technical regulations. Post-race scrutineering revealed that the floor planks on both MCL38 cars exhibited excessive wear beyond the permitted limit of 1mm, leading to their immediate disqualification by the FIA stewards. This decision effectively nullified a strong performance from the team in what was considered a crucial phase of the championship season.

For Max Verstappen, who secured victory on the streets of Sin City, the double disqualification proved to be a substantial boon. His win, coupled with McLaren’s points forfeiture, has propelled the Red Bull driver into an equal standing with Piastri in second position in the revised championship standings. Both drivers now trail the championship leader, Lando Norris, by a margin of 24 points, with only two rounds remaining in a tightly contested season. This development has injected renewed intensity into the title fight, giving Verstappen a significant boost.

Speaking to Formule1.nl, Jos Verstappen articulated his son’s invigorated spirits. "This just gives Max extra positive energy," he stated. "Just hearing and reading about the effect McLaren’s radio comment during the race – ‘Go and get Max’ – has on Max, you can imagine it’s an added motivation. And McLaren will only get more nervous. They can’t afford anything more now." The elder Verstappen’s comments highlight the psychological dimension of the championship battle, emphasizing the pressure now squarely on McLaren following this technical infraction.

Related News :

• Mercedes Eyes Critical Brazil GP to Reignite P2 Charge Against Ferrari, Red Bull
• Sergio Perez Praised for Exemplary Attitude as Cadillac Intensifies F1 Preparations with Imola Test
• Piastri Rejects Allegations of McLaren Favouritism, Affirms Internal Equality Amidst Verstappen’s Criticism
• Ferrari Principal Vasseur Calls for Calm Following Hamilton’s Las Vegas Disappointment
• Alexandra Saint Mleux: Unpacking the Profile of a Model, Influencer, Philanthropist, and Charles Leclerc’s Fiancée

Expanding on the issue of the plank wear, Jos Verstappen did not mince words. "This is a huge mistake by McLaren, a huge blunder indeed," he asserted. "Because why would they really push the limit like that? Maybe it really was a mistake, but maybe the car simply wouldn’t perform as well otherwise, and they’d have to do this." His remarks hint at a deeper strategic question regarding McLaren’s engineering choices, speculating whether the excessive wear was an oversight or a calculated, albeit ultimately failed, attempt to extract maximum performance.

Intriguingly, Max Verstappen appeared to be aware of the impending decision even before its official announcement. "I spoke to Max briefly before leaving. He already knew they were going to be disqualified," Jos added, suggesting a swift communication within the paddock regarding the technical breach and its likely consequences. This pre-knowledge might have further solidified Max’s focus on his own performance, knowing the potential points swing at stake.

The technical regulation concerning the floor plank, often referred to as the ‘skid block,’ is a fundamental aspect of Formula 1 car design and safety. Introduced in the mid-1990s, the plank is a mandatory wooden or composite strip fitted to the underside of the car. Its primary purpose is to prevent teams from running their cars too low to the ground, which would generate excessive aerodynamic downforce, potentially making the cars unsafe or creating an unfair performance advantage. The regulations stipulate a minimum thickness for this plank, typically 10mm, with a permitted wear tolerance of just 1mm across specific measurement points. Exceeding this 1mm wear indicates that the car has been running too low, either due to setup choices, suspension compression, or track conditions. The FIA’s technical delegates rigorously check this after every session, and any non-compliance results in automatic disqualification, regardless of the sporting performance. This strict adherence underscores the critical importance placed on fair play and safety within the sport.

McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, issued an unreserved apology to his drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, acknowledging the severity of the situation and its timing in their championship campaigns. "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," Stella stated. He extended the apology to the team’s partners and fans, whose support, he noted, means a great deal. "While this outcome is extremely disappointing, we remain fully focused on the last two races of the season," he concluded, signaling the team’s commitment to regroup and push forward despite the significant setback.

This incident casts a shadow over what had been a remarkable resurgence for McLaren this season. After a challenging start, the team had consistently demonstrated improved pace and reliability, propelling Norris and rookie Piastri into genuine championship contention. Norris, in particular, had shown strong form, consistently challenging the front-runners and establishing himself as a credible title threat against the formidable Max Verstappen, who, despite his four previous championships, had faced a tougher challenge in this particular season. The dynamic between Norris and Verstappen, fueled by the young Briton’s burgeoning talent and McLaren’s renewed competitiveness, had promised a thrilling conclusion to the championship. Piastri, in his debut season, had also exceeded expectations, showcasing impressive speed and maturity, contributing significantly to McLaren’s constructors’ championship aspirations.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix itself, a highly anticipated new addition to the F1 calendar, presented unique challenges with its high-speed street circuit and cooler night temperatures. Teams grappled with tire management, grip levels, and optimizing setups for a track that was largely unknown. McLaren’s strong qualifying and race performance prior to the disqualification indicated a successful adaptation to these conditions, making the subsequent technical breach all the more frustrating for the team and its supporters.

With two races remaining on the calendar, the championship fight now enters a crucial and unpredictable phase. The 24-point gap separating Norris from Verstappen and Piastri, while still significant, is no longer insurmountable, especially with potential maximum points of 52 available across the final two rounds. The psychological impact on McLaren, as suggested by Jos Verstappen, could be a decisive factor, while Red Bull and Max Verstappen will undoubtedly leverage this newfound momentum. The integrity of the championship and the relentless pursuit of performance under the strictest technical scrutiny will be under intense focus as the season hurtles towards its dramatic conclusion. The upcoming races are poised to be a true test of nerve, engineering precision, and driving prowess.

💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook

Author Profile

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.

Latest entries

• F1November 27, 2025McLaren’s Las Vegas Disqualification Ignites Championship Battle, Draws Scrutiny from Verstappen Camp
• F1November 26, 2025Adrian Newey Appointed Aston Martin F1 Team Principal for Transformative 2026 Season
• F1November 26, 2025Sergio Perez Praised for Exemplary Attitude as Cadillac Intensifies F1 Preparations with Imola Test
• F1November 26, 2025Mercedes Dissects Antonelli’s Las Vegas Jump Start: A Millimetric Movement, Not a Clutch Error.