Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disqualified from Las Vegas Grand Prix
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have both been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to excessive skid-block wear, reports BritPanorama.
Post-race inspections revealed that both McLaren drivers’ skid blocks measured less than the minimum required thickness of 9 mm, with Norris’s measurements being 8.88 mm and 8.93 mm on the right-hand side. The disqualification has significant implications for the championship standings, with Max Verstappen now closing in, only 24 points behind Norris.
Norris had initially crossed the finish line in second place, having performed well throughout the race, but the disqualification means he will earn no points from this performance, impacting his position in the drivers’ championship.
The FIA stewards stated, “The rear skids of Car 81 were measured and found to be below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.” Notably, the measuring device, a Mitutoyo Micrometre, was reported to be accurate to within 0.001 mm. The re-measurements confirmed that both skids did not comply with the regulations, warranting the disqualification.
McLaren argued that unexpected circumstances contributed to the issue, including additional porpoising and limited testing opportunities due to weather on the first day of the event. They also claimed that the extent of the breach was less significant than prior instances in 2025. However, the FIA countered that the regulations provided no leeway for alternative penalties in such cases.
The stewards acknowledged that they believed the breach was unintentional and not a deliberate attempt to bypass regulations. They also cited prior rulings from the FIA International Court of Appeal that limit options for avoiding disqualification for technical violations.
The outcome serves as a stark reminder of the stringent nature of technical regulations in Formula 1, where even minor infractions can lead to significant penalties. As the season progresses, the pressure will mount for teams to remain compliant while pushing the performance envelope.
