OFFICIAL: Norris and Piastri suffer shock disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix
McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were under investigation for a possible technical infringement at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and the governing body has now confirmed that the British and the Australian driver have been disqualified from the 50-lap race.
Championship runaway leader Lando Norris finished second at Saturday's Las Vegas Grand Prix behind reigning champion Max Verstappen.
His team-mate Oscar Piastri endured a more challenging evening at the Las Vegas Strip, ending up fourth, which saw him lose further valuable points in the championship battle.
However, the FIA issued a document after the 50-lap race in the Sin City, confirming that McLaren would face a double investigation for both of Norris and Piastri’s cars following the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The FIA's document read: "The skid wear of car numbers 81 and 04 was checked. The rearmost skid was measured on both cars according to the team’s legality documents submission in accordance with TD039 M, item 1.2 b) i).
"The measured thickness was less than 9 mm on both cars, which is the minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e)."
The governing body has now confirmed that the British and the Australian driver have been disqualified from the 50-lap Las Vegas Grand Prix.
FIA's statement read: "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. 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 as not deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations.
"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."
