McLaren's Formula 1 team has been hit with a dramatic double disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, stripping both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of their hard-earned championship points.
The Technical Breach That Cost McLaren
Both McLaren cars failed post-race technical inspections conducted by the FIA, the sport's governing body. The issue centred on excessive wear to the underbody planks, which were found to be below the minimum required thickness of 9mm.
McLaren pointed to unexpected porpoising and limited testing opportunities due to adverse weather conditions as contributing factors. However, the FIA maintained a strict stance, ruling that the regulations mandate automatic disqualification for such technical infringements.
Immediate Consequences for Drivers and Team
The decision, confirmed on Sunday 23 November 2025, has significant implications for the championship battle. The disqualification nullifies all points Norris and Piastri scored during the race, directly altering their positions in the drivers' standings.
This type of penalty is not without precedent in Formula 1. The ruling is consistent with previous disqualifications for similar technical breaches, including notable cases involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in past seasons.
A Harsh Lesson in F1 Regulations
The incident underscores the zero-tolerance approach the FIA takes towards technical regulations, even when teams cite mitigating circumstances. For McLaren, the loss of valuable constructor points compounds the disappointment for both drivers and the team.
This event in Las Vegas serves as a stark reminder that in the precision world of Formula 1, every millimetre counts, and the rules apply equally to all competitors, regardless of the challenges faced during a race weekend.
