McLaren hit with double DSQ for rearmost skid non-compliance
- Kavi Khandelwal
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Written by Kavi Khandelwal
In a shocking turn of events, the Constructors' Champion have faced a double disqualification due an illegal rearmost skid on their cars. A definitive ruling issued at 01:42 local time, the FIA Stewards have disqualified both McLaren cars—Car 04 of Lando Norris and Car 81 of Oscar Piastri—from the final race classification of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The decision confirms a breach of the Technical Regulations regarding the car's floor assembly.
The technical investigation found that the rear skids of both cars were worn below the legal limit. Technical Regulations Article 3.5.9 requires the skid block to maintain a minimum thickness of 9 mm.
The Stewards confirmed the non-compliance on Car 4, noting the relevant measurements were 8.74mm on the RHS Front, 8.90mm on the RHS Rear and 8.96mm on the LHS Front. The same breach was confirmed on Car 81.
McLaren argued that mitigating circumstances existed, citing unexpected porpoising at the event and limited practice time, and submitted that the breach was unintentional.
However, the FIA strongly argued that there was no provision in the regulations or in precedent for any penalty other than the standard disqualification for such a technical infringement, a view the Stewards ultimately upheld.
This ruling removes Norris, who finished P2, and Piastri, who finished P4, from the final classification. Every car behind them is promoted two positions, drastically reshaping the points distribution and the championship battle with two races remaining. George Russell is now elevated to P2, and Kimi Antonelli secures an unexpected P3 podium finish.
The disqualification completely overhauls the points awarded at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Race winner Max Verstappen of Red BUll retains his victory, but the two championship rival drivers lose all points earned.
The repercussions are immense for the Drivers' Championship, effectively blowing the title race wide open with just the Qatar Grand Prix, a Sprint weekend, and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remaining.
Norris still leads the standings, but his advantage over his teammate is reduced from 30 points to 24 points. Crucially, the biggest winner is Verstappen, who now sits level on points with Piastri at 366 points.
Verstappen is only 24 points behind Norris, making him a serious contender for a fifth consecutive title. Given that the next round in Qatar offers a maximum of 33 points, the title fight is now much closer than it was immediately after the checkered flag.
