F1 News Today: Lando Norris Disqualification Verdict Announced as FIA Confirms Austrian GP Race Result
The Formula 1 world breathed a collective sigh of relief as the FIA officially confirmed Lando Norris’ victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, quashing fears of a disqualification following a tense post-race investigation. The McLaren driver’s third win of the 2025 season, secured in a gripping battle with teammate Oscar Piastri at the Red Bull Ring, faced scrutiny over potential plank wear issues, but the FIA’s comprehensive verdict cleared Norris, solidifying his place atop the podium. As the sport digests this outcome, the decision underscores the FIA’s rigorous enforcement of technical regulations while keeping the championship race alive.
The drama unfolded after Sky Sports F1 pundit Anthony Davidson raised concerns about a “plume of dust” from Norris’ car, suggesting excessive plank wear that could breach FIA rules, as seen in Lewis Hamilton’s 2024 Chinese Grand Prix disqualification. Post-race, the FIA inspected Norris’ car alongside eight others, focusing on skid block and plank thickness. The verdict, released late Sunday, confirmed all measurements complied with regulations, preserving Norris’ 2.6-second win over Piastri. This came after a race marked by Max Verstappen’s early retirement due to Kimi Antonelli’s crash, amplifying the focus on McLaren’s dominant one-two finish.
Norris, who fended off Piastri’s late charge despite minor front-wing damage, expressed relief: “It’s fulfilling to get the result after such a fight.” Piastri, closing to within two seconds in the final laps, credited Norris’ pace but noted backmarkers hindered his challenge. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella hailed the duo’s battle as “a great spectacle,” despite the pit wall stress, reinforcing the team’s trust in their drivers. The FIA also noted deleted lap times for both—Norris once, Piastri twice—due to track limit breaches, but these had no bearing on the final result.
The verdict eases pressure on McLaren, who lead the Constructors’ Championship, while Norris trails Piastri by 15 points in the Drivers’ standings. Verstappen, now 43 points back after his Lap 1 exit, faces a tougher title path, with his penalty points nearing a ban threshold. The FIA’s decision contrasts with recent incidents, like Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov’s F3 disqualification for plank wear in Austria, highlighting the fine line teams navigate. Fans on social platforms are buzzing, with some celebrating Norris’ resilience—“Cleared and crowned!”—while others question the FIA’s consistency.
As the season heads to Silverstone, this ruling boosts McLaren’s momentum, though Piastri’s challenge looms large. Will Norris capitalize on this reprieve to close the gap, or will Piastri’s consistency prevail? The Austrian GP’s outcome keeps F1’s narrative thrilling, with every race now a critical chapter in the 2025 title fight.
