Esteban Ocon avoided a dramatic disqualification at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix after the FIA completed an investigation into a tyre pressure irregularity involving his Haas car following the sprint race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
The French driver crossed the line in 13th place during Saturday’s sprint in Montreal, finishing just behind Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson and ahead of his Haas team-mate Oliver Bearman. However, shortly after the session ended, Ocon’s result was placed under threat when FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer referred the matter to the stewards over concerns linked to tyre pressure procedures before the race began.
According to the FIA report, Ocon’s car initially passed all required tyre pressure inspections while on the starting grid. Officials confirmed that the checks were carried out at 11:51 local time and that all four wheels were correctly fitted to the car one minute later, fully complying with the FIA’s tyre operating regulations.
The issue arose several minutes later when air was reportedly released from the left-rear tyre while the wheel remained attached to the car. FIA documentation states that such a procedure is not permitted under specific sections of the governing body’s tyre operating rules, leading Bauer to formally refer the incident to the stewards for further examination.
The statement from the FIA explained that the suspected breach related to points 2.5, 2.7, and 2.8 of the official tyre operating procedures. Because tyre pressures are tightly regulated in Formula 1 for both performance and safety reasons, any deviation can potentially lead to severe penalties, including disqualification from the event.
As a result, Ocon was summoned to appear before the stewards at 2:45pm local time in Montreal, equivalent to 7:45pm in the United Kingdom. The hearing involved representatives from the Haas team, including the sporting director and team engineers, alongside FIA officials and scrutineers assigned to car number 31.
After reviewing the evidence, the FIA eventually decided not to punish Ocon or the Haas team. The stewards concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the tyre pressures used during the sprint race were outside the permitted limits.
In their final verdict, officials confirmed that “no further action” would be taken against the Frenchman, allowing him to keep his 13th-place finish in the sprint classification.
The FIA also provided further detail on how the conclusion was reached. Stewards reportedly examined multiple video angles, including footage from the car directly behind Ocon on the grid as well as the FIA’s own grid cameras positioned around the starting area. Those reviews, combined with technical data and testimony from team personnel, ultimately convinced officials that the situation did not warrant a penalty.
The decision came as a major relief for Haas and Ocon, who narrowly escaped what could have been a costly disqualification in Montreal.
