Disqualification in Las Vegas: McLaren Loses Key Points
In an unexpected turn of events during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the cars of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, McLaren drivers, were disqualified from the race, just three hours after crossing the finish line. The decision, made by the stewards, was due to excessive wear on the plank, a part located on the underside of the Formula 1 single-seaters.
The wear detected on Norris’s car exceeded the permitted limit by 0.12 millimeters, while on Piastri’s it was 0.26 millimeters. To put it in perspective, the thickness of an average human hair ranges from 0.17 to 0.181 millimeters. This situation could have a significant impact on the fight for the championship.
The commissioners acknowledged that the infringement was unintentional and there was no deliberate intention to circumvent the regulations.
The FIA technical regulations do not allow for margin of error in the measurement of the plank wear, which is designed to wear during the race, protecting the underside of the car and ensuring a minimum height. Running the car closer to the ground can improve aerodynamic performance, but also carries the risk of losing downforce.
The FIA measurements are taken at four holes in the plank, which must have a depth of 10 millimeters (plus or minus 0.2) at the start of the race and no less than 9 at the end. In Norris’s car, two of the four holes were below 9 millimeters, and in Piastri’s, three.
The disqualification of the McLarens reduced Norris’s lead over his rivals, leaving him with a 24-point difference before the Qatar Grand Prix.Después de ser descalificado en Las Vegas, Lando Norris mantiene una ventaja de 24 puntos sobre sus rivales por el título a falta de dos carreras.The McLaren team argued that the unexpected porpoising (car bouncing) and limited practice time were factors that contributed to the wear and tear. Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, mentioned that the causes of this behavior and possible accidental damage to both cars are being investigated.
During the race, Norris’s engineer instructed him to lift his foot off the accelerator and coast on the straights, seeking to reduce aerodynamic load and minimize wear. Despite these efforts, it was not enough.
Norris expressed his frustration at the loss of points, while McLaren apologized to its drivers. Despite this setback, Norris remains the favorite for the championship, with a 24-point lead over his competitors.
The Qatar Grand Prix will be crucial, as if Norris manages to increase his lead to 26 points, he will secure the title. On the other hand, Verstappen benefits from the situation, as he now has the opportunity to stay in the fight for the championship until the last race in Abu Dhabi.
