The McLarenTeam·McLaren Formula 1 team has been issued a €30,000 fine by the FIACompetition·FIA, with €10,000 of that amount suspended for 12 months, after a safety protocol breach involving Lando NorrisPlayer·Lando Norris's car during the second free practice session for the 2026 Monaco Grand PrixCompetition·Monaco Grand Prix. The incident occurred when Norris's McLarenTeam·McLaren MCL40 experienced an electrical malfunction, forcing him to stop at the Nouvelle ChicaneVenue·Nouvelle Chicane.
Marshals encountered difficulties in activating the car's Clutch Disengagement System (CDS), a vital mechanism designed to facilitate the rapid and safe removal of stalled vehicles from the track. An subsequent investigation by the stewards revealed that McLarenTeam·McLaren had applied transparent tape over the CDS activation button. This tape, intended for aerodynamic efficiency, inadvertently prevented marshals from engaging the system by hand without the use of a specialized tool, thereby compromising its intended function.
McLarenTeam·McLaren acknowledged that the tape "completely defeated the purpose of the CDS system," as reported by the stewards. The FIACompetition·FIA's decision to impose a more stringent penalty on McLarenTeam·McLaren, compared to a similar infringement earlier in the season, underscores the governing body's emphasis on safety compliance. Just two weeks prior, the Racing BullsTeam·Racing Bulls team received a €30,000 fine, with €20,000 suspended, for an analogous issue involving Liam LawsonPlayer·Liam Lawson's car during a free practice session at the Canadian Grand PrixCompetition·Canadian Grand Prix. The stewards indicated that the previous incident should have served as a clear warning to all teams regarding the importance of the CDS system.
Lando NorrisPlayer·Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, encountered an electrical problem that caused his car to shut down early in the Free Practice 2 session. McLarenTeam·McLaren's Chief Technical Officer, Rob Marshall, confirmed the electrical issue, with the precise cause remaining under investigation. Norris has expressed concerns regarding the team's overall pace in Monaco, acknowledging the inherent challenges of advancing through the field on the demanding street circuit. His teammate, Oscar PiastriPlayer·Oscar Piastri, concluded the second practice session in seventh position, approximately one second adrift of the leading time.
Beyond the primary safety infringement, McLarenTeam·McLaren and Lando NorrisPlayer·Lando Norris also received a suspended €5,000 fine for Norris's late arrival to an official FIACompetition·FIA press conference. Additionally, McLarenTeam·McLaren, alongside CadillacTeam·Cadillac, breached curfew regulations after Free Practice 2. However, no further action was taken for this infraction, as it represented their first of four permitted exceptions for the current season. This weekend also marks a significant milestone for McLarenTeam·McLaren, as the team celebrates its 1000th Grand Prix entry.
Lando Norris drives his McLaren F1 car at the Monaco Grand Prix. Photo: Eibner/IMAGO
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