FIA Confirms McLaren Disqualification After Late D…read more
Sky Sports F1 pundit Anthony Davidson has raised serious concerns following Lando Norris’s stunning win at the Austrian Grand Prix, suggesting that the McLaren star could be at risk of disqualification due to potential plank wear violations.
Norris delivered an impressive performance, leading a brilliant McLaren one-two finish after a thrilling on-track duel with his teammate Oscar Piastri. The result was particularly important for Norris, who has been trying to close the gap to Piastri in the championship standings. However, a post-race review may cast a shadow over the Briton’s celebration.
During the Sky Sports F1 post-race analysis, Davidson pointed out some troubling visuals captured during the race that could spell trouble for Norris. Specifically, he observed a consistent trail of dust being emitted from underneath Norris’s McLaren throughout the race. Davidson suspects this could be evidence of excessive wear on the car’s wooden skid plank — a critical component monitored closely by the FIA.
The plank, located underneath the car, is designed to ensure teams do not run their cars too low to the ground, which would give them a performance advantage. The FIA enforces strict regulations regarding how much the plank can wear during a race. If a car is found to have worn through more of the plank than allowed, it can result in an automatic disqualification — a fate that previously befell Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the 2023 United States Grand Prix in Austin.
“This plume of dust coming from Lando’s car – I noticed it again and again during the race,” Davidson explained while analyzing footage on the Sky Pad. “It appears to be the resin plank under the car. You can see the scrape marks, and many cars do this, but this one caught my attention.”
Davidson clarified that his observation doesn’t confirm any rule violation but expressed genuine concern about what might happen if the FIA decides to conduct a detailed inspection of Norris’s plank. “Maybe I’m overthinking it for Lando’s garage, but if they do check the wear on the plank post-race, I’ll be very curious to see what the results show,” he added.
This concern comes despite there being no official confirmation yet of an investigation or protest. However, the possibility of retrospective penalties always looms large in F1, especially when podium finishes or championship points are at stake.
Given the zero-tolerance approach the FIA maintains on technical infringements like plank wear, even minor infractions can lead to harsh penalties. For Norris and McLaren, who are enjoying a surge in form and momentum this season, a disqualification would be a bitter blow — especially after such a commanding performance.
For now, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if the FIA release any technical bulletins or reports that could confirm or dispel the concerns. Until then, the question remains — is Lando Norris’s Austrian GP victory safe, or will post-race scrutiny tell a different story?
