Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have now spoken out following their disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where both McLaren drivers were affected. Norris had initially secured second place, trailing behind race victor Max Verstappen, while Piastri finished in fourth. Nonetheless, their cars were flagged for failing technical inspections post-race.
The FIA’s statement disclosed that the excessive wear on the skid blocks was the reason for their disqualification. Consequently, their standings in the competition will not be recognized, setting the stage for a thrilling title battle with only two races remaining.
Currently, Norris holds a 24-point advantage over Piastri and four-time world champion Verstappen before the forthcoming event in Qatar and the season finale in Abu Dhabi next month. Following the race, Norris expressed disappointment, attributing their disqualification to unforeseen car issues and emphasizing the team’s commitment to enhancing performance for the upcoming races.
Piastri also expressed frustration over the disqualification, highlighting the team’s focus on regaining momentum and maximizing points in the final races. McLaren issued an apology to both drivers, acknowledging the breach of Technical Regulations and the inadvertent nature of the violation.
The FIA inspection revealed that the skid plank thickness beneath the McLaren cars was below the mandatory 9mm limit at the end of the race, indicating a potential breach of ride height regulations. As a result, both cars were excluded from the final race results.
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