FIA confirms Lando Norris Disqualification — Set Team boss to Serve P… read more
Lando Norris has been officially cleared by the FIA following speculation over a potential disqualification after his Austrian Grand Prix victory. The McLaren driver, who led a dramatic one-two finish for the team at the Red Bull Ring, came under scrutiny after questions were raised regarding the legality of his car’s plank and skid wear.
In the standard post-race inspection conducted by FIA officials, Norris’ car was thoroughly examined alongside those of eight other drivers. All results came back in compliance with the technical regulations, confirming that Norris’ car met the necessary standards. This outcome allowed the Brit to retain his race win, much to the relief of McLaren and its fans.
Concerns surrounding a possible disqualification arose after Sky Sports F1 pundit Anthony Davidson expressed worry over visible wear on the underside of Norris’ car. During post-race analysis, Davidson noted the persistent plume of dust trailing from Norris’ car throughout the race. “This plume of dust coming out of Lando’s car—I saw it continuously through the race,” Davidson commented. “This, I believe, is the resin plank of the car. You can see all these scrape marks.”
Davidson went on to say that the plank wear on Norris’ car appeared more significant than that on his teammate Oscar Piastri’s car. “Maybe I am worrying unnecessarily for Lando’s side of the garage. But if they are to check the plank wear at the end of this race, I am going to be really intrigued to see how they get on,” he added.
Fortunately for Norris and McLaren, the FIA’s verdict brought the matter to a close, confirming that there would be no further action or penalties.
The win in Austria marked a significant moment for Norris, particularly after a disappointing performance at the Canadian Grand Prix, where he crashed into his teammate while battling for fourth and left Montreal with no points. In stark contrast, the Austrian GP weekend saw Norris not only return to form but also boost his championship aspirations.
The victory helped Norris close the gap in the standings to teammate Oscar Piastri, who now leads the McLaren intra-team rivalry by just 15 points. The race itself delivered a thrilling spectacle for fans, with Piastri mounting a strong challenge in the closing stages. Despite narrowing the gap to Norris, Piastri’s momentum was interrupted by backmarkers, ultimately costing him the chance to overtake.
McLaren’s dominant one-two finish in Austria reaffirmed their competitive edge and injected fresh energy into the 2025 Formula One title battle. Norris’ performance, underpinned by both pace and composure under pressure, has reignited the championship narrative, setting the stage for more dramatic battles as the season progresses.
With the FIA ruling now resolved in his favor, Norris can look ahead with confidence, knowing his hard-earned Austrian GP win stands firmly in the record books.
