Drama after F1 race: McLaren duo disqualified, Verstappen back in title race!

(Patria) - Today's Formula 1 race in Las Vegas had a dramatic epilogue, after McLaren drivers were disqualified by stewards after the race.

FIA technical delegate Joe Bauer reported both McLaren cars, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, to the stewards after the race. Inspection of the cars revealed that both McLaren vehicles had floor protection panels thinner than the prescribed minimum of nine millimeters.

The information was forwarded to the stewards due to a potential violation of rule 3.5.9.e of the technical regulations.

According to the rules, this is an offense that carries disqualification. After hearing the drivers and team representatives, such a decision was made. A similar fate befell the Ferrari drivers this season after the race in China. The reasoning for both disqualifications is identical, given that it involves a violation of the same rule.

It was explained that on both Norris's and Piastri's cars, the floor protection panels were measured as follows: "RHS Front 8.88 mm, RHS Rear 8.93 mm".

The regulations allow a deviation of 0.001 mm, which was exceeded in this case.

It was clarified that the measurement was taken in the presence of three members of the McLaren team, that the violation of the technical regulations was confirmed, and that the penalty was decided thereafter.

McLaren's objection that accidental damage may have led to this situation was rejected.

McLaren will not hold a press conference but has announced that it will issue a statement after the stewards' decision.

Two races remain until the end of the season: the first in Qatar on November 30 and the second in Abu Dhabi on December 7. A total of 58 points are still available, and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) closed the gap to -24 behind Norris with this morning's victory.