McLaren's hopes for a dominant Austrian Grand Prix weekend have been shattered in a devastating qualifying blow that saw both cars sensationally disqualified from the session.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri appeared to have secured a dream front-row lockout, only to have their blistering lap times brutally erased by race stewards hours after the session concluded.
The Technical Breach That Cost Everything
The team's nightmare began when FIA technical delegates discovered a critical infringement on both MCL38 cars. The issue centred on exceeding the maximum permitted power output from the hybrid system during qualifying laps – a breach that team principal Andrea Stella confirmed the team would not appeal.
'We had exceeded the maximum power output allowed by the regulations on the straight,' Stella admitted, describing the outcome as 'brutal' for the entire team.
From Front Row to Back of the Grid
The disqualification completely reshapes the starting grid for Sunday's race. Instead of lining up behind Max Verstappen, Norris and Piastri will now start from the very back of the pack – a devastating setback for a team that showed genuine pace to challenge Red Bull.
George Russell now inherits a front-row start alongside Verstappen, while Carlos Sainz moves up to third position in a dramatic reshuffling of the grid.
Team Reaction: Shock and Acceptance
McLaren's reaction was one of stunned disappointment mixed with professional accountability. 'We are deeply disappointed,' a team statement read, 'but we accept the stewards' decision.'
The team attributed the violation to an 'operational issue' in the setup process for qualifying, acknowledging they had strayed outside strict regulatory limits despite the clear performance advantage it provided.
This dramatic turn of events sets up a spectacular recovery mission for both Norris and Piastri in Sunday's race, transforming McLaren from likely podium contenders to underdogs fighting through the field.
