McLaren DQ in Las Vegas: Verstappen, back in the F1 title fight

Following the thrilling Las Vegas Grand Prix race, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified, generating an unexpected turn in the competition. Approximately three hours after Lando Norris crossed the finish line in second place, it was determined that both his car and his teammate, Oscar Piastri’s, presented excessive wear on the underfloor, a crucial component of Formula 1 vehicles. 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 context, the thickness of an average human hair ranges from 0.17 to 0.181 millimeters. This minimal difference could have a significant impact on the fight for the championship.

Impact on the Championship

The disqualification, announced by the stewards at 1:42 a.m. on Sunday, reduced the 30-point lead Norris thought he had over Piastri and the 42-point lead over Verstappen to just 24 points before next week’s Qatar Grand Prix. Although it is still a considerable advantage, the situation is less comfortable than it seemed when Norris celebrated in the Bellagio fountains with his second-place trophy.

Why the disqualification?

The FIA’s technical regulations do not allow for any margin of error in the measurement of the plank wear, even if measured in micrometers. This component is designed to wear out during the race by rubbing against the track surface, protecting the underside of the car and ensuring a minimum ride height. The FIA stewards check the wear of the plank at various points. In Norris’s case, the depth of two of the four measurement holes was less than 9 millimeters, and in Piastri’s car, three of the four holes did not comply with the regulations. The stewards acknowledged that the infringement was unintentional and without deliberate intent to circumvent the regulations.

The Key Factor: Driving Height

The latest generation F1 single-seaters are extremely sensitive to ride height. Every millimeter that the car gets closer to the ground optimizes airflow, generating a suction effect that increases downforce and allows for taking corners at incredible speeds. Teams seek the perfect balance between maximizing aerodynamic performance and complying with plank wear regulations. Although simulations are useful, on-track practice is crucial for adjusting the final setup before qualifying.

Irregular track surfaces can increase wear, but teams are usually cautious, especially in the face of disqualification. McLaren cited the unexpected “porpoising” of the car and the limited practice time as factors that contributed to the wear. Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, explained that during the race, both cars suffered unexpected and high-level “porpoising”, not seen in the practice sessions, which led to excessive contact with the ground. The team is investigating the causes of this behavior, including accidental damage suffered by both cars, which was discovered after the race and caused an increase in ground movement. During the race, Norris’s engineer instructed him to lift his foot off the accelerator and coast at the end of the straights, to reduce aerodynamic load and minimize wear. Despite these efforts, the wear was excessive. “We had to make some adjustments towards the end of the race and now we know it was due to some issues on our car, which unfortunately have disqualified us,” said Norris. “As a team, we are always striving to find the most performance possible, and it’s clear we didn’t achieve that balance today.”

Next Steps

Although Norris has fewer points margin than he expected, he is still the favorite for the title. If he manages to increase his lead to 26 points or more after the Qatar Grand Prix, he will secure the championship.

On the other hand, Piastri, who has struggled in recent races, saw his disadvantage compared to his teammate reduced thanks to the disqualification. This gives him a greater opportunity than he would have had if both McLarens had been considered legal. Verstappen is the biggest beneficiary of this situation, as now, a result ahead of Norris and Piastri in the sprint race and the Grand Prix next week would allow him to continue fighting for the title until the last race in Abu Dhabi.