McLaren has offered an apology to their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, following their disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The duo secured second and fourth place in the race but 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 team principal Andrea Stella, it was revealed that the team breached Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations by a slight margin in the thickness of the skid on both cars. The statement acknowledged that during the race, the cars experienced unexpected porpoising, leading to increased contact with the ground, possibly caused by accidental damage sustained during the race.
The team expressed regret for the loss of points for Norris and Piastri, emphasizing that the breach was unintentional with no deliberate attempt to violate regulations. McLaren also extended apologies to their partners and fans for the incident and reaffirmed their focus on the remaining two races of the season.
The disqualification has reignited the competition in the Drivers’ World Championship, with Norris maintaining his lead with 390 points, followed closely by Piastri. Reigning champion Max Verstappen’s victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix has brought him level with Piastri, setting the stage for an intense battle for the title in the final races of the season.
Both Norris and Piastri expressed disappointment over the disqualification, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 season with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi on the horizon. The outcome remains uncertain, with all eyes on the contenders’ performance and ability to handle the pressure in the decisive moments of the championship race.