MCLAREN MELTDOWN IN LAS VEGAS

McLaren’s Las Vegas nightmare deepened when both of their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, were disqualified from the Grand Prix after failing post-race technical inspections. What looked like a dominant weekend for McLaren ended in chaos just hours after the checkered flag. 

Officials found that the skid blocks under both McLaren MCL39s were worn below the minimum 9 mm thickness, breaching Article 3.5.9 of the technical regulations. 

The stewards re-measured with McLaren present and confirmed the breach, even though McLaren argued unexpected porpoising, practice disruptions and damage to the car contributed to the wear. 

Norris, who’d crossed the line in second, and Piastri, who’d finished fourth, both had their results wiped, massively shaking up the title fight. Their disqualifications mean Max Verstappen, the race winner, now closes to just 24 points behind Norris, and has drawn level with Piastri. 

McLaren didn’t shy away from the fallout. Team principal Andrea Stella apologised to the drivers and fans, saying the team misjudged the balance at a critical moment. 

Norris admitted it’s “frustrating to lose so many points” but said the focus now shifts fully to the final rounds. Piastri echoed that sentiment, saying they’d “reset, refocus and push” in the closing races. 

As McLaren scrambles, the title picture is tighter than ever and with only two races left, the championship could come down to the wire.

Image credit: Sky Sports