McLaren Formula One stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who sit first and second on the championship leaderboard, could both be disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for skid wear issues on their cars.
In the hours after the race, governing body FIA reported excessive rear skid block wear on the pair’s cars.
Should they be disqualified, Norris — who finished second — would have his championship lead reduced to 24 points, with Verstappen and Piastri tied in second with two rounds remaining.
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In a statement, the FIA technical delegate said: “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 nine mm on both cars, which is the minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e).
“I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”
Norris finished second in Las Vegas, two spots ahead of Oscar Piastri in fourth.
A penalty, if it is confirmed, would mean both cars are disqualified and neither result will count.
Article 3.5.9 e) of the FIA Formula One technical regulations reads: “The thickness of the plank assembly measured normal to the lower surface must be 10mm ± 0.2mm and must be uniform when new.
“A minimum thickness of 9mm will be accepted due to wear, and conformity to this provision will be checked at the peripheries of the designated holes.”
More to come …
– With AAP
