McLaren's Las Vegas Nightmare: Technical Breach Threatens Double Disqualification
In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 world, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are facing disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The stunning development emerged after both cars failed a crucial post-race technical inspection following Saturday night's spectacle in Sin City.
The Technical Fault That Could Cost McLaren Dearly
FIA scrutineers discovered a critical issue with the thickness of the wooden planks fitted to the underside of the McLaren MCL38s. The investigation revealed that the plank wear exceeded the permitted limits, measuring less than the mandatory 9mm minimum thickness required by the regulations at the end of a Grand Prix.
This technical violation suggests that both Norris and Piastri were running their cars at an illegally low ride height throughout the race. Running the car lower to the ground can provide a significant aerodynamic advantage, improving downforce and overall lap time. The summons to meet with the race stewards was issued early on Saturday morning, with the hearing commencing at 7:45 AM UK time.
Title Race Implications: Verstappen Poised to Capitalise
The potential disqualifications carry enormous consequences for the drivers' championship, transforming the landscape with just two rounds remaining in the season. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who won the Las Vegas race, stands to benefit enormously from his rivals' misfortune.
Should both McLaren drivers be stripped of their results, the recalibrated championship standings would see Verstappen draw level on points with Piastri and slash Norris's championship lead to just 24 points. This development transforms the final two races of the season into a dramatically different contest, handing significant momentum to the reigning world champion.
Such technical infringements are typically treated as straightforward matters by the FIA, with little room for interpretation. The expectation within the paddock is that the disqualifications will be confirmed, given the clear nature of the regulation breach discovered during post-race scrutineering.
