McLaren Drivers DQ'd from Vegas GP Over Skid Violation

McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday after their cars were found to violate technical regulations on skid plank thickness, handing victory to Max Verstappen and tightening the Formula 1 drivers' championship with two races remaining.

The 50-lap race along the Las Vegas Strip unfolded under lights, with Verstappen starting second and quickly overtaking Norris into the lead at Turn 1 after the McLaren driver went wide. Norris recovered to finish second on the track, while Piastri battled through to fourth despite an early contact with Liam Lawson that dropped him to fifth before a promotion. George Russell of Mercedes crossed the line third, followed by Kimi Antonelli in fourth and Carlos Sainz fifth. Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top six ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon, with Oliver Bearman tenth.

Post-race inspections by the FIA revealed that both McLaren cars breached Article 3.5.9 of the technical regulations, which mandates a minimum skid plank thickness of 9 millimeters. Measurements showed Piastri's car (number 81) at 8.74 millimeters and Norris's (number 4) at 8.88 millimeters for the rearmost skid,...