FIA announce double DISQUALIFICATION on McLaren driver following Ra…read more
McLaren’s recent struggles in Formula 1 have taken a further hit following controversial incidents involving both of their drivers at the British Grand Prix. Oscar Piastri, the talented Australian driver, was at the center of the drama during Sunday’s race at Silverstone, while rising British star Ollie Bearman found himself in hot water after a separate incident during Saturday’s practice session.
Piastri had been putting in a solid performance and appeared to be in a strong position during the race. However, his efforts were marred by a crucial mistake during a safety car restart. According to the FIA, Piastri was penalized for what was described as “erratic braking” while the safety car was on track. This kind of behavior is considered highly dangerous as it can catch other drivers off guard and potentially lead to collisions. As a result, the stewards handed Piastri a 10-second time penalty, which significantly compromised his race result.
In addition to the time penalty, the FIA also issued two penalty points to Piastri’s super licence. These points bring his total penalty count up to a higher, more concerning level. If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points over a 12-month period, they face an automatic one-race ban. While Piastri is still well short of that threshold, the addition of these two points is not ideal, especially given the close competition in the midfield and McLaren’s hopes of staying in contention for podium finishes.
The troubles for McLaren didn’t stop there. British driver Ollie Bearman, who was participating in Free Practice 3 (FP3) over the weekend, was also slapped with disciplinary action. Bearman received the maximum punishment available for his actions during the session. Though details surrounding the specific incident were not immediately clear, the penalty suggests a serious infraction, likely related to unsafe driving or failing to follow session protocols.
These latest developments add further tension within the McLaren camp, as the team continues to face scrutiny both on and off the track. Piastri’s incident, in particular, has sparked debate about how the FIA enforces rules during safety car restarts, while Bearman’s punishment raises questions about the discipline and readiness of younger drivers entering the elite motorsport scene.
To compound matters, teammate Lando Norris has also been under the spotlight, with reports suggesting he could face action from the FIA following his outburst after the British Grand Prix. Norris reportedly voiced strong frustration over certain decisions made during the race, which could result in further penalties if deemed unsporting.
All in all, the British Grand Prix weekend proved to be a difficult one for McLaren, with penalties, frustrations, and controversy clouding what should have been a celebration at their home race.
