McLaren has issued a formal apology to their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, following their disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite finishing in second and fourth places, the team faced scrutiny from race stewards due to potential issues with the minimum width of the rearmost skid on their cars.
In a statement by McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, it was revealed that the breach of Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations was unintentional, with both cars exceeding the required skid thickness by a small margin. The team cited unexpected porpoising during the race, leading to excessive ground contact, possibly exacerbated by accidental damage sustained by the cars post-race.
Acknowledging the unintended violation, McLaren expressed regret for the loss of points incurred by Norris and Piastri, particularly given their strong performances throughout the weekend. Despite the setback, the team remains focused on the remaining races of the season.
The disqualification has injected fresh excitement into the Drivers’ World Championship, with Norris maintaining a lead of 390 points, closely followed by Piastri. Reigning champion Max Verstappen’s victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix has put him level on points with Piastri, setting the stage for a thrilling title race in the final two races.
Both Norris and Piastri have expressed disappointment over the disqualification, setting the stage for a fiercely contested conclusion to the 2025 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. With Verstappen acknowledging the challenge ahead, the upcoming races promise plenty of intrigue and drama as the championship battle unfolds.