McLaren has formally apologized to their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, following their disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite finishing in second and fourth place in the race, McLaren faced scrutiny from race stewards due to potential issues with the minimum width of the rearmost skid on their cars.
A statement from McLaren team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the breach of Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations, which mandates a minimum skid thickness of 9mm. The team’s cars, Car 4 and Car 81, were found to exceed this requirement by very small margins, attributed to unforeseen high levels of porpoising during the race leading to increased contact with the ground. Investigations are ongoing to understand the root causes, including accidental damage affecting the cars’ floor movement post-race.
McLaren emphasized that the breach was unintentional, with no deliberate attempt to violate regulations, and highlighted mitigating circumstances. They expressed regret over the loss of points for Norris and Piastri, especially given their strong performances throughout the weekend. The team also extended apologies to their supporters and partners.
Despite the setback, McLaren remains focused on the remaining two races of the season. The disqualification has revitalized the Drivers’ World Championship race, with Norris still leading the standings but facing pressure from Max Verstappen, who won the Las Vegas Grand Prix and is now tied with Piastri in points. The drivers expressed disappointment over the disqualification, setting the stage for an intense finale in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen acknowledged the challenging gap in points but remained optimistic about their chances in the upcoming races. Last year’s results in Qatar and Abu Dhabi offer promising insights for the contenders, hinting at a dramatic conclusion to the season. The anticipation for the final races is high, with potential twists and turns expected in the title race.