McLaren have apologised to drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after both were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for a technical infringement. The FIA found that the skid blocks on the floor of their cars had worn below the permitted 9mm limit, leading to their exclusion from the race results.
The disqualification came four hours after the race, which was won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Norris had finished second and Piastri fourth, but those positions were voided following an FIA investigation. The decision has tightened the drivers' championship battle, with Verstappen now just 24 points behind Norris, who leads the standings.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expressed regret over the incident. 'We apologise to Lando and Oscar for the loss of points today, at a critical time in their championship campaigns,' he said. 'While this outcome is extremely disappointing, we remain fully focused on the last two races of the season.'
Norris described the disqualification as frustrating, noting that the team had been pushing for performance. 'Nothing I can do will change that now, instead full focus switches to Qatar,' he said. Piastri echoed the sentiment, calling it 'disappointing to come away from this weekend with no points.'
The FIA acknowledged that the breach was unintentional, stating that 'there was not deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations.' However, the governing body noted that there was no provision for any penalty other than disqualification under the rules. The skid blocks, which are titanium plates embedded in the car's floor, are designed to wear during running but must remain above the 9mm threshold.
