McLaren Faces Disqualification Inquiry โFollowing Las Vegas โคGrand Prix
Las โขVegas, Nevada – November 21, โ2023 – โฃMcLaren โฃRacing is under examination by the FIA following the las Vegasโ Grand Prix, with the potential for disqualification hanging over โthe team and impacting both the Constructors’โข championship standings and the drivers’ results.โ The inquiry centers around a technical infringement regarding the floor of theโฃ MCL60 โcar, specifically concerning โwear that may have provided a performanceโ advantage.
The controversy eruptedโค after scrutineersโ noticed excessive wear on โthe โฃplankโ of Lando Norris’s and โขOscar Piastri’s cars following โthe race. Regulations mandate a minimum thickness for this component, and excessive wear could indicate a โขviolation of the rules โฃdesigned toโค maintain a levelโข playing field. โฃ A disqualification would stripโข McLaren ofโฃ the 18 points earned in Las Vegas – 7 for โNorris’s fifth-place finish and 11 for Piastri’s third โ- significantly altering the battleโค for fourth place in the Constructors’ championship,currentlyโข held by McLaren with 302 points,just ahead ofโ Aston Martin with 280. The FIA’s โdecision, expected within the coming days, could also retroactivelyโค affect the drivers’ championship standings.
The FIA’s โtechnical regulations, specifically Article โฃ3.7 of the Formula โ1 Sportingโค Regulations,dictate the permissibleโค wear limits for the skid block,including the plank. Teams are required to โdemonstrateโค compliance with these regulations throughout a race weekend. Sources โindicate the FIA is analyzing data and potentially comparing the wear patterns on the McLaren cars toโ those of otherโ teams toโฃ determine if the wear was within acceptable tolerances orโ resulted fromโค a purposeful design feature.
mclaren teamโข principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the investigation,stating,”Weโค are โcooperating fully with the FIA and providing all necesary data to assist in thier assessment. We believe we have adhered to the regulations, butโค we respect the FIA’s process and await their findings.”
The outcomeโฃ of the investigation willโค not only determine McLaren’s fate in the current championshipโค but also set โคa precedentโค for future technical scrutiny.If found in violation, McLaren could face a fine, a points deduction,โข or, in the โฃmost severe scenario, disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The FIA is expected to announce its decision before the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on โฃNovember 26th.