McLaren’s Shocking Disqualification: FIA Under Fire for ‘Draconian’ Penalty!
In a stunning twist at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, McLaren found themselves at the center of a controversy that could shift the balance of power in the championship race. Team CEO Zak Brown revealed that both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified after a minuscule error led to monumental repercussions, leaving fans and insiders alike questioning the fairness of the FIA’s decision.
NOW THERE’S A NEW WAY TO SEE ALL MOTORSPORTS AND THAT IS THE FIRST STREAMING PLATFORM EXCLUSIVE FOR MOTORSPORTS – SUBSCRIBE TODAY – MSPORTS PLAY
Norris, who had finished second, and Piastri, who came in fourth, were stripped of their hard-earned points following a post-race scrutineering that unveiled excessive plank wear on both vehicles. This unexpected turn of events has thrown a wrench into the championship standings, with Norris now clinging to a mere 24-point lead over teammate Piastri and Red Bull’s formidable Max Verstappen as the season hurtles towards its climax.
Brown expressed his disbelief during a candid appearance on The Sports Agents podcast, where he emphasized the seemingly trivial nature of the violation. “It was a very minor mistake with huge consequences, right?” he lamented. “Getting disqualified from a race doesn’t get worse. We should have been second and fourth.” He pointed out that many other teams have faced similar violations, noting that Ferrari and Mercedes have also been disqualified for the same infractions in recent years. “But does that make us feel better? Not really. It was the thickness of a piece of paper, crazy,” he added.
In a surprising revelation, Brown disclosed that the FIA is reconsidering the severity of the penalty, aligning with his belief that the punishment is disproportionate to the error committed. “There’s two ways you can have too much skid wear,” he explained. “One is to run the car too low, which is illegal. The other is you can have what’s called porpoising, where the car bumps up and down, and that’s what we had.”
Despite acknowledging that other teams managed to navigate the conditions successfully, Brown stood by his team’s integrity, stating, “At the end of the day, we got it wrong.” The timing of this disqualification could not have been worse, coming just as the Qatar Grand Prix looms on the horizon following the Las Vegas race. Emotions ran high within the McLaren camp, but Brown urged his team to regroup, reminding them that the season comprises 24 races and that they must refocus on the battles ahead.
Additionally, Brown addressed the swirling conspiracy theories suggesting that the FIA is targeting McLaren to maintain competitive tension in the championship. “If I said that, it would sound like an excuse,” he stated firmly. “I’m not going to go there. We got it wrong. Yes, the rules are a bit draconian, but I can’t enforce them and then argue against them when they come our way.”
As the dust settles from this shocking disqualification, fans and analysts are left to ponder the implications for McLaren’s championship aspirations. Will the FIA reconsider their stance, or will this incident serve as a harsh lesson for the team as they navigate the final races of the season? One thing is for certain: the stakes have never been higher in this titanic battle for supremacy.
