Lando Norris Cleared by FIA After Austrian Grand Prix Victory Amid Plank Wear Concerns
Lando Norris has officially retained his victory at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix after the FIA concluded its post-race investigation and confirmed that his McLaren was fully compliant with Formula 1’s technical regulations. The announcement puts to rest widespread speculation about a possible disqualification due to excessive wear on the underside of his car.
Norris delivered a sensational performance at the Red Bull Ring, leading McLaren to a commanding one-two finish ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri. However, the celebration was briefly clouded by concerns over whether the plank and skid wear on his car met the legal requirements. In Formula 1, the plank—a wooden strip located on the underside of the car—is a crucial part of the floor designed to limit how low a car can run. Excessive wear can result in penalties, including disqualification.
These concerns intensified following post-race commentary from Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson. During the network’s analysis, Davidson highlighted what he believed to be a troubling sign: a continuous plume of dust being kicked up from beneath Norris’ car during the race. “You could clearly see that dust throughout the race,” Davidson explained. “That usually signals the resin plank scraping the track. The scrape marks looked intense, especially when compared to Oscar Piastri’s car.”
Davidson’s observations sparked immediate discussion in the paddock and among fans, raising fears that Norris might suffer the same fate as other drivers who have been penalized in similar situations in past seasons. He added, “I hope I’m wrong, but if the FIA checks the plank wear after this race, it will be very interesting to see the outcome.”
As per standard procedure, the FIA conducted thorough post-race inspections of several cars, including Norris’ McLaren. The examination involved checking the legality of components such as the skid blocks, planks, and floor height. The governing body found no irregularities, confirming that all inspected cars—including Norris’—complied with the sport’s strict technical specifications.
With the FIA giving the all-clear, Norris was officially declared the winner, allowing McLaren to celebrate one of their most dominant performances in recent memory. For Norris, the result came as a major boost, especially after a frustrating outing at the Canadian Grand Prix just weeks earlier. There, he crashed while battling teammate Piastri for fourth place, costing the team valuable points and drawing criticism for his aggressive driving.
In Austria, however, the young Brit bounced back impressively. Not only did he take pole position and convert it into a flawless race win, but he also managed the race pace under significant pressure. Piastri was close behind throughout the final stages of the Grand Prix and looked poised to make a move for the lead. However, his charge was hindered by lapped cars, which disrupted his momentum and gave Norris just enough breathing room to stay ahead until the chequered flag.
The result tightened the intra-team rivalry at McLaren, with Norris now trailing Piastri by just 15 points in the drivers’ standings. The two drivers have emerged as legitimate title contenders in the 2025 season, with McLaren’s strong car performance putting them consistently at the front of the pack.
McLaren’s one-two finish in Austria also reinforced their resurgence as a powerhouse in Formula 1. With Red Bull faltering and Mercedes struggling with consistency, McLaren have seized the opportunity to assert themselves in the championship hunt. The team’s reliability, strategic calls, and aerodynamic upgrades have all contributed to their recent success.
The FIA’s ruling in Norris’ favor not only solidifies his Austrian Grand Prix win in the official records but also eliminates a potential setback that could have derailed his title campaign. With confidence restored and momentum on his side, Norris is expected to carry this form into the upcoming rounds, keeping both his teammate and rivals on alert.
The 2025 season has already seen its fair share of drama and unpredictability, and McLaren’s form—along with the tight points battle between Norris and Piastri—adds another compelling layer to the championship narrative. Fans can look forward to more intense wheel-to-wheel action as the season progresses, with McLaren now firmly in the spotlight.
As for Norris, escaping disqualification not only preserves his hard-fought win but also reaffirms his growing maturity and racecraft. With the FIA’s verdict now behind him, he can fully focus on chasing the ultimate prize: his first Formula 1 World Championship.
