The double disqualification of McLaren in Las Vegas was a significant setback. Both championship leader Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri left with zero points. According to team boss Andrea Stella, the cause of the disqualification was not an overly aggressive setup or excessive performance drive, but the unexpectedly severe porpoising of the car due to track conditions.
Stella explains that the problems were primarily caused by conditions that only emerged during the race itself. “The level of porpoising worsened due to the conditions in which the car was driving during the race,” says the team boss. “We did not expect this based on what we saw in the training sessions and the predictions about how the car should behave in the race.”
According to him, McLaren did not go too far with the setup. On the contrary: “Based on the data from the training sessions, we did not think we had taken too much risk with the ride height. We had built in extra safety margin for the qualification and the race. But that margin disappeared due to the unexpected, severe vertical movements, causing the car to hit the ground.”
Stella’s Emphasis on Performance, Not Aggression
Stella emphasizes that the double disqualification was not a result of an overly aggressive pursuit of performance. “What happened in Vegas was due to a deviation in the car’s behavior, not because we were excessively or irresponsibly chasing speed,” he explains. Despite the challenging weekend, he remains proud of the way McLaren operates. “The way we work and think as a team — with a strong focus on performance — has brought us to where we are now: two consecutive constructors’ titles and two drivers at the top of the championship with two races to go.”
Looking Ahead to Qatar
With the Grand Prix of Qatar on the horizon, Stella is already looking ahead. According to him, the issues from Las Vegas should not play a role in Lusail. “The porpoising was due to circumstances unique to our setup in Vegas and the circuit itself,” he says. McLaren, therefore, continues to stick to its trusted approach. “We have a tried and tested method of setting up the car, and we believe this gives us the right direction for the upcoming races, starting at the Lusail International Circuit.” However, the team is taking valuable lessons to Qatar. “We learn from every situation, and what happened in Las Vegas provides us with useful information about the car’s setup window and when porpoising can occur.”
