Why McLaren’s Vegas Win Turned Into Disqualification for Norris and Piastri

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had their cars subjected to a post-race technical inspection and, as a result, were officially disqualified from the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The primary concern was with the skid blocks, and it was found that their thickness was under the minimum limit set by the FIA’s technical regulations.

The effect of this joint disqualification on the drivers’ championship is massive, and it drastically changes the order of the two races before the season’s end.

What is The Skid Block Rule? 

The Minimum Thickness Requirement

The FIA regulations stipulate that the last skid block (also known as the “plank”) of an F1 car must not be thinner than 9 mm. 

Technical inspectors at the Las Vegas Grand Prix found both McLaren machines down to the minimum thickness during their post-race checking process. 

The Values Measured

• As for Lando Norris, his car was measured at 8.88 mm (front right) and 8.93 mm (rear right). 

• In the case of Oscar Piastri, the numbers were 8.96 mm (front left), 8.74 mm (front right), and 8.90 mm (rear right). 

These figures were determined using a micrometer with very high precision (the FIA used a Mitutoyo model that could measure to within 0.001 mm).

What Did McLaren Say in Their Defense?

Mitigating Circumstances Presented

McLaren depicted its defense as based on “mitigating circumstances” and referred to a number of factors contributing to the situation:

1. Unforeseen Porpoising: Reportedly, both cars suffered “high levels of porpoising” during the race, making the cars bounce more than normal. Bouncing can cause the vehicle to have more contact with the surface, which in turn can speed up the wear of the skid blocks. 

1. Reduced Practice Running: The team claimed that their practice sessions were curtailed by the elements and red flags in the first part of the day, which limited the chance to completely test and find the best settings for the car. 

1. After-Race Damage: After the race, McLaren stated that it had found damage to the car’s underbelly unintentionally caused, which might have led to more floor movement and therefore quicker skid block wear.

McLaren’s Apology

McLaren’s Team Principal, Andrea Stella, made a public apology to both drivers and all the team’s fans. He called it a “critical time” of the championship and described the loss of these points as “extremely disappointing.”  At the same time, the team maintained that they thought the breach was unintentional and argued there was no rule of the game being circumvented intentionally. 

How Did The FIA and Stewards Respond? 

Following the inspection of the skid blocks, the FIA Technical Delegate, Jo Bauer, brought the issue to the stewards. The stewards again took measurements of the skid blocks along with the McLaren representatives, and they validated the original readings. Since the thickest parts measured were obviously less than the set limit of 9 mm, they ruled that both cars were in breach of Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations and thus disqualified them.

Why This Disqualification Matters

• Rule Enforcement and Fair Play

This case reveals the thoroughness with which the FIA enforce technical regulations. Just a bit of rule-breaking — in this case, millimeter fractions — can result in disqualification. Skid block wear regulations exist to stop teams from making their cars too low to the ground for obtaining performance; therefore, adherence to these regulations is crucial.

• Championship Stakes

Only two races are left, and these points can be lost; thus, it may be a defining moment for McLaren’s title campaign. Moreover, it makes Verstappen a contender for the championship again, changing the flow of the situation very strongly.

• Team Reputation and Accountability

McLaren’s apology to the public and letting out of the “unintended” breach brought the issue of team risk management in the technical area to light. Porpoising, early practice interruptions, and the car’s underside damage will probably be the main focus of a thorough internal investigation.

What Khelo24race Fans Need To Know

• Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from McLaren were not allowed to compete in the Las Vegas GP because the wear on their skid blocks was too much, below the minimum of 9 mm. 

• McLaren put the blame on unexpected porpoising, not enough running time in practice, and post-race damage for the problem. 

• Nevertheless, the FIA stewards decided there was no possibility for a lighter penalty, even though they agreed that the violation was unintentional. 

• The ruling changes the drivers’ championship, making Max Verstappen’s chances even stronger as he goes into the last races. 

• McLaren has expressed its remorse and pledged to carry out a detailed investigation, while the world of Formula 1 is curious to see how this will affect the title battle and the future of regulation enforcement.