The FIA has explained the reason as to why both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Norris had finished second in Sin City to extend his lead in the F1 drivers' title to 30 points, as a result of Piastri finishing in fifth. However, following post-race FIA scrutineering checks, it was discovered that both McLaren cars had exceeded the legal skid-block wear.
Following a grand prix, an F1 car must have at least 9 mm of skid-block remaining or risk a slam-dunk disqualification, to remain in accordance with Article 3.5.9 e) of the technical regulations.
Both cars were found to have had illegal levels of plank wear below the legal thickness. The left-hand side of Norris' skid block was legal; however, the right-hand side was not. The front right-hand side of the side-block measured 8.88 mm, whilst the rear right-hand side measured 8.93mm.
In Piastri's case, both sides of his skid-block were below the legal limit, with the front right-hand side measuring 8.74 mm, the rear right-hand side coming in at 8.90mm while the front left-hand side was 8.96 mm – the left rear-hand side was legal.
McLaren argued that "mitigating circumstances existed", due to more porpoising having been present than expected and with the minimal dry running having limited the ability to gain data.
However, due to both cars breaching the regulation, Norris and Piastri were issued a slam-dunk disqualified. It means heading into the Qatar Grand Prix, both Piastri and Max Verstappen sit 24 points behind Norris – Verstappen claimed victory in Las Vegas.
In confirming McLaren's double disqualification, the FIA's report on Piastri's car stated: "The Stewards heard from the Team Principal, Team Sporting Director and Technical Director of McLaren Formula 1 Team, the FIA Single Seater Director, the FIA Single Seater Technical Director and the FIA Technical Delegate.
"The rear skids of Car 81 were measured and found to be below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. The relevant measurements were LHS Front 8.96mm, RHS Front 8.74mm, RHS Rear 8.90mm. The measuring device was a Mitutoyo Micrometre purchased in May 2025, and according to the manufacturer’s specifications, accurate to within 0.001mm.
"The rear skids were re-measured in the presence of the Stewards and the three McLaren representatives, and those measurements confirmed that the skids did not comply with the regulations. The relevant measurements were even lower than those measured originally by the Technical Delegate.
"Accordingly the Stewards determine that a breach of the Technical Regulations have
occurred.
"The Stewards then heard submissions on penalty.
"The Team argued that mitigating circumstances existed in that there was additional and unexpected porpoising at this event, limited opportunity to test due to the weather on Day 1, and shortened practice sessions. Further the Team submitted that the degree of the breach was lower than prior breaches of this regulation in 2025.
"The FIA argued that unfortunately there was no provision in the regulations or in precedent for any penalty other than the usual penalty (i.e. disqualification). The FIA noted that it strongly held the view that the breach was unintentional and that there was not deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations.
"The Stewards also note the various decisions of the FIA International Court of Appeal The Stewards which limit the ability to avoid disqualification for technical breaches.
"Notwithstanding the submission by the Team that there was potentially accidental damage that may have led to movement of the floor which could have caused additional wear, the Stewards do not consider this sufficient to mitigate the penalty.
"The Stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement."
The FIA's report for Norris' car was identical, with the exception of the exact measurements. FOr Norris' car, the stewards' report read: "The rear skids of Car 81 were measured and found to be below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. The relevant measurements were RHS Front 8.88mm, RHS Rear 8.93mm."
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