Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both disqualified from Las Vegas GP as statement issued
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after both of their cars were found to have excessive skid block wear.
The FIA released a detailed statement in which they explained why both McLaren drivers were out of the competition, meaning their places and points will go to others.
It said: "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 4 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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"The measuring device was a Mitutoyo Micrometre purchased in May 2025, and according to the manufacturer's specifications, accurate to within 0.001 mm.
"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 which limit the ability to avoid disqualification for technical breaches."
The race had been won by Max Verstappen of Red Bull, but Norris had claimed second place while his McLaren teammate Piastri had claimed fourth spot.
However, given their disqualification it means that they no longer get their positions or points, so George Russell and Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes now take second and third spots on the podium.
In overall standings, Norris is still top on 390 points, but with Verstappen and Piastri tied for second place on 366 points apiece, he will be really missing the 18 points he thought he'd picked up in Las Vegas.
Skid blocks, by the way, are a component of an F1 car on the underside of the vehicle to try and stop plank wear, and a driver is disqualified if it wears down to below 9mm.
McLaren said there may have been 'potentially accidental damage', but it was decided this was not reason enough.
Joe Harker