Just In: FIA Confirms McLaren Disqualification After Late Technical Check
Background
Following Lando Norris’s commanding victory at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29, 2025, concerns immediately emerged over potential technical infringements. Sky Sports pundit Anthony Davidson noted excessive plank wear—“this plume of dust coming out of Lando’s car… definitely more than his team‑mate”—prompting scrutiny of Norris’s McLaren post-race .
Under FIA regulations, the skid block (plank) must not wear beyond an allowed limit: excessive abrasion leads to automatic disqualification. A similar rule led to Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification at the Chinese GP in March when his plank fell below the minimum .
FIA Decision
After inspecting nine cars—including both McLarens—FIA officials confirmed that Norris’s plank and skidwear conformed to regulatory standards. The post-race technical inspection confirmed all components were within the required dimensions and mechanical tolerances .
The governing body has now issued its official final classification: Lando Norris retains the win at the Red Bull Ring, and Oscar Piastri secures second .
🔍 What This Means for McLaren and the Championship
- Relief for McLaren
This outcome avoids a dramatic reversal of fortunes. A disqualification would have erased Norris’s win and heavily dented McLaren’s momentum—especially with their 1–2 finish in Austria.
- Title Battle Heats Up
Norris’s victory slashed Piastri’s lead in the standings to just 15 points. Confirming the result strengthens McLaren’s grip on the double championship fight—their constructor lead now stands at a commanding 417 points .
- Trust in FIA’s Process
The swift resolution also reflects well on the FIA’s rigorous inspection framework. While every check carries high stakes, this case underscores that post‑race compliance is taken seriously—but managed with procedural fairness.
💡 Why Plank Wear Matters
The skid block protects both the car and the track from wear, and its integrity is crucial. Running a car too low to skirt above-revved surfaces is deemed an unfair performance gain—and potentially unsafe. That’s why even millimetres matter, as seen in the Chinese GP disqualification earlier this year .
What’s Next?
Looking ahead: McLaren heads to Silverstone (British GP) flush from this confirmed result, and also focused on maximizing performance under the same technical scrutiny.
Key rivals: Red Bull and Mercedes will remain vigilant for further technical investigations, ensuring McLaren’s advantage is legitimate and sustainable.
🧭 Final Word
The FIA has officially upheld Norris’s Austrian GP victory. McLaren clears the technical hurdle intact, retaining their 1–2 finish at the Red Bull Ring and preserving a pivotal swing in both titles.
Looking forward, June 29’s outcome now stands—fortifying McLaren’s charge as Formula 1 enters one of its most crucial championship phases.
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