Both McLaren drivers were disqualified after post-race inspections found their cars’ underbody planks worn beyond the legal limit.

Formula 1 regulations require the skid block, or plank, beneath each car to maintain a minimum thickness of 9 millimeters after the race. The plank is initially 10mm thick, allowing only 1mm of wear during a Grand Prix. 

However, measurements showed that Norris’ car's plank was worn down by 0.12mm and 0.07mm on the front-right and rear-right respectively, while Piastri’s car showed even greater excess wear with reductions around 0.26mm and 0.10mm on the right side and also below limit on the left-front.

This excessive wear deemed both cars illegal under the technical rules, leading to immediate disqualification from the race results.​

What Led to the Excessive Wear?

McLaren attributed the plank wear to unexpected porpoising, a bouncing effect that increases the car’s contact with the track and accelerates wear on the skid block.

The team communicated during the race instructing drivers to manage speed and lift at certain corners to reduce plank damage, but ultimately these efforts were insufficient to avoid the breach. Factors such as disruptions during practice sessions and changes to tire pressures may have impacted plank wear, but McLaren took responsibility for misjudging the car setup that led to this violation.

Despite acknowledging the breach was unintentional, the FIA regulations leave no option other than disqualification in such cases.​

Championship Impact and Reactions

The double disqualification was a major blow to McLaren’s title hopes. Norris had finished second on track, extending his championship lead, while Piastri came fourth.

The disqualification erased those points, dramatically tightening the fight with Max Verstappen, now just 24 points behind Norris with only a couple of races left. Both drivers expressed frustration but remained focused on the season ahead.

The setback has added wild tension to the F1 title race, which heads next to Qatar, highlighting how razor-thin margins in technical compliance and strategy can decide championships.