Infringement Car 4 Technical Non Conformity Plank Assembly
Las Vegas Grand Prix · 2025 · 23 November 2025 · Doc 57
- Driver
- Lando Norris
- Team
- McLaren Formula 1 Team
- Session
- Race
2025 LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX
20 - 22 November 2025
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
McLaren Formula 1 Team Document 57 Date 23 November 2025 Time 01:42
The Stewards, having received a report from the Technical Delegate (document 53), summoned (document 55) and heard from the team representatives, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 4 - Lando Norris Competitor McLaren Formula 1 Team Time 23:29
Session Race
Fact The thickness of the plank assembly was below the permitted minimum thickness. Infringement Breach of Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations. Decision Car 4 is disqualified from the Race classification. All other drivers move up in the classification. Reason The Stewards heard from the Team Principal, Team Sporting Director and Technical Director of McLaren Formula 1 Team, the FIA Single Seater Director, the FIA Single Seater Technical Director and the FIA Technical Delegate. The rear skids of Car 4 were measured and found to be below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. The relevant measurements were RHS Front 8.88mm, RHS Rear 8.93mm. The measuring device was a Mitutoyo Micrometre purchased in May 2025, and according to the manufacturer's specifications, accurate to within 0.001mm. The rear skids were re-measured in the presence of the Stewards and the three McLaren representatives, and those measurements confirmed that the skids did not comply with the regulations. The relevant measurements were even lower than those measured originally by the Technical Delegate. Accordingly the Stewards determine that a breach of the Technical Regulations have occurred. The Stewards then heard submissions on penalty. The Team argued that mitigating circumstances existed in that there was additional and unexpected porpoising at this event, limited opportunity to test due to the weather on Day 1, and shortened practice sessions. Further the Team submitted that the degree of the breach was lower than prior breaches of this regulation in 2025. The FIA argued that unfortunately there was no provision in the regulations or in precedent for any penalty other than the usual penalty (i.e. disqualification). The FIA noted that it strongly held the view that the breach was unintentional and that there was not deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations. The Stewards also note the various decisions of the FIA International Court of Appeal
The Stewards which limit the ability to avoid disqualification for technical breaches. Notwithstanding the submission by the Team that there was potentially accidental damage that may have led to movement of the floor which could have caused additional wear, the Stewards do not consider this sufficient to mitigate the penalty. The Stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement.
Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.