PADDOCK INSIDER: Stella explains McLaren’s Las Vegas disqualifications and insists no ‘excessive risks’ were taken

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has explained the reasons why both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for excessive wear to the planks of their respective cars, with the Italian admitting the Teams' Champions were caught out by unexpected "extensive porpoising" but he insisted they did not take "excessive risks" with ride height.

Polesitter Norris crossed the line second, with team mate and championship rival Piastri seeing the chequered flag fourth – but following post-race checks on their two cars (all cars which finished inside the top-10 were checked), the planks on both were found to be worn down below the permitted 9mm.

The rule exists to stop Formula 1 teams running their cars so low to the ground in the chase of performance that it becomes dangerous. When the FIA confirmed the disqualification, they said the breach was "unintentional" and they did not believe it was a "deliberate attempt" by McLaren to "circumvent the regulations".