McLaren Make Bold 'Car Decision' for Qatar GP Following Disqualification

McLaren have issued a statement on their plans for the Qatar Grand Prix following their shock disqualification in Las Vegas.

Both McLaren cars were judged to have excessive skid block wear leading to the double disqualification, meaning Max Verstappen gained 25 points on the papaya duo heading into Qatar.

The decision leaves the Dutchman level with Oscar Piastri and 24 points behind Lando Norris in the F1 drivers championship giving Verstappen a fighting chance at a fifth world title.

However, if Norris gains just two points on his rivals across the Qatar sprint and grand prix he will secure the championship before the final showdown in Abu Dhabi.

Andrea Stella at the Las Vegas Grand Prix (credit: getty)

McLaren make bold setup decision for Qatar

Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, many speculated McLaren would be forced to adopt a more conservative approach to avoid more potential issues, however, a statement from Andrea Stella has revealed the opposite.

According to the McLaren team principal the disqualification in Las Vegas was circuit specific, meaning the team will not car risk performance with an altered setup in Qatar.

“The conditions we experienced last weekend and which led to the onset of porpoising and excess of grounding, compared to what was expected, are very specific to the operating window of the car in Vegas and the circuit characteristics," he explained via Motorsport.

"We have a well-established and consolidated way of setting up the car and we are confident that this will lead us to an optimal plan for the coming races, starting from the Lusail International Circuit."

Stella added: “Nevertheless, we learn from every lesson and the one in Las Vegas has been able to provide some useful information about the operating window of the car and the porpoising regime."

Despite McLaren's confidence in remaining legal this weekend, the FIA are set to 'monitor them closely' following complaints raised by fellow F1 teams.

This comes after the FIA became aware of multiple teams using an illegal practice regarding skid block wear during the Brazilian Grand Prix earlier this month.

With McLaren getting disqualified the very next race for skid block issues, the team are well and truly under the microscope as the season reaches its climax.