McLaren faces double disqualification threat at Las Vegas GP over plank wear violation

Las Vegas: McLaren's Las Vegas Grand Prix triumph has turned into a nightmare scenario after both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were found to have violated F1 technical regulations during post-race inspection. The FIA technical delegate confirmed that the rear skid blocks on both vehicles measured below the mandatory 9mm minimum thickness, a breach that could result in automatic disqualification from Sunday's race.

Norris crossed the line in second place behind Max Verstappen, while teammate Piastri finished fourth, behind George Russell's Mercedes. However, these results now face cancellation following the technical failure.

Also Read: McLaren drivers disqualified from Las Vegas GP

The Regulation Breach

According to Article 3.5.9(e) of the 2025 F1 technical regulations, the plank assembly thickness must measure 10mm ± 0.2mm when new. A minimum acceptable thickness of 9mm is permitted following normal race wear, but both McLaren vehicles were found to fall short of this critical threshold.

"The measured thickness was less than 9 mm on both cars, which is the minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e)," the FIA technical delegate's report stated. The violation would be a clear breach of technical regulations, leaving McLaren vulnerable to the sport's most severe penalty.

Championship Implications Severe

The potential disqualifications would fundamentally reshape the 2025 F1 championship battle. Norris currently leads the standings with 408 points, holding a 30-point advantage over his McLaren teammate Piastri, who sits on 378 points. Verstappen trails in third with 366 points.

If both drivers are disqualified, Norris's buffer over Piastri would shrink to just 24 points, while Verstappen would draw level with Piastri on 366 points. With only 58 points available across the final two races, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the championship would remain wide open heading into the season finale.

The timing is particularly damaging for Norris, who was positioned to potentially clinch the world title at the next race in Qatar if he retained his Las Vegas points. Disqualification would eliminate that opportunity and restore genuine drama to the championship conclusion.

Precedent in 2025

McLaren's predicament mirrors previous incidents this season involving excessive skid block wear. Lewis Hamilton was stripped of his Shanghai podium finish for the same violation, while Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg suffered disqualification in Bahrain. However, Norris's potential removal would mark the first time in 2025 that a podium finisher, specifically a second-place finisher, has faced disqualification for this particular infringement.

Stewards Hearing Looms

McLaren has been summoned to appear before the FIA stewards to contest the technical breach. The hearing is scheduled for 11:45 PM local time in Las Vegas, where the team will have the opportunity to present its defence and challenge the technical delegate's findings.

The stewards' decision will be determinative. If they uphold the technical violation, both Norris and Piastri will be removed from the race classification, their points stripped away. However, if McLaren successfully argues its case or demonstrates an exemption, the points remain secure.

Road Ahead

The McLaren F1 team now faces a critical few hours as it prepares its defence for the stewards' hearing. The outcome will either allow Norris to maintain his substantial championship lead or reset the title race entirely with two races remaining on the 2025 calendar.

For Norris, who has been close to securing F1's ultimate prize, the threat of disqualification presents an unexpected, and potentially devastating, complication to what seemed like a smooth path to glory.