Max Verstappen offers clear verdict after double McLaren disqualification

Max Verstappen has insisted "there's no excuse" to failing post-race FIA plank wear checks, following McLaren's double disqualification in Las Vegas. 

After initially finishing in second and fifth, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both disqualified in Sin City due to both cars exceeding the maximum level of plank wear. 

As a result, it meant Verstappen took 25 points out of Norris' advantage in the drivers' title after the Dutchman secured victory in Sin City. 

Norris, Piastri, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly have all been disqualified from a race this season for illegal levels of plank wear.

McLaren had argued its case to the FIA in Las Vegas in a bid to avoid disqualification, although it is something Verstappen believes is inexcusable and simply part of the rules all drivers follow.

Asked for his thoughts ahead of this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix on McLaren's disqualification, Verstappen told select media including RacingNews365: "Yeah, I was flying home. 

"I knew, of course, there was some kind of investigation going into the plank. And yeah, when it's too low, it's too low. There's so much that you can argue about that. 

"Of course, every team always runs it as low as they possibly can. And sometimes you get it right, and sometimes it's a bit harder to measure, but there's no excuse. 

"When you're too low, it's too low, same with other rules in the sport. Unfortunately, it's like that."

Verstappen's title deficit

Prior to McLaren's double disqualification being announced, Verstappen's win had initially reduced his deficit to Norris to 42 points. 

However, due to the disqualification, the four-time world champion is actually 24 points behind Norris and level on points with Piastri. 

To keep his hopes of a record-equalling fifth consecutive F1 drivers' title alive, Verstappen must not score two points less than Norris. It remains a large gap to overcome, although the Red Bull driver is still set to give it everything.

"Of course, the gap closed a bit with that, but still, 24 points, a lot needs to go well till the end to have a chance," added Verstappen. 

"But it's definitely a better chance than what it was before that, so we take it. But yeah, you need to also be aware that even if you win everything, you still need a bit of luck, right? So we'll see. 

"We'll see how that goes for us. Nothing changes. We go all in. We have nothing to lose."