With the release of the official FIA document detailing the double disqualification of the McLaren cars, the team from Woking has also put forward its defence, explaining a series of issues that allegedly affected both MCL39 machines.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix ended in the worst possible way for the reigning 2025 world champions. The second and fourth places scored by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were stripped due to an irregularity found on both cars: just like Ferrari’s case in China, excessive plank wear was detected on both MCL39s. The stewards’ decision led to a double disqualification for McLaren, which attempted to defend itself in every possible way.
McLaren risks losing the drivers’ championship
This huge misstep from McLaren has suddenly reopened the fight for the drivers’ world title. With two Grands Prix remaining — including the Sprint race in Qatar — Max Verstappen is now fully back in contention. Norris sits on 390 points, followed by Oscar Piastri with 366 and the Dutch Red Bull driver tied with him.
Considering how the season began, nobody would have expected such a scenario with only a handful of races left. Despite everything, Norris remains the favourite, and Losail will already offer him the first match point to become world champion.
The team’s defence
In the official FIA document regarding McLaren’s disqualification, the governing body confirmed that skid wear exceeded the 9 mm limit mandated by the regulations and also outlined the defence put forward by the Woking outfit. “The team claimed the existence of mitigating circumstances, stating that this situation occurred due to excessive and unexpected porpoising, that testing opportunities were extremely limited because of Friday’s weather conditions, and that the free practice sessions were shortened. Furthermore, the team declared that the level of wear was lower compared to previous infringements of this 2025 regulation.”
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