FIA Announce Disqualification at British GP Following...read more

FIA Hands Down Disqualification at British GP Over Safety Car Confusion

Oscar Piastri of McLaren has been handed a significant penalty by the FIA following a controversial incident involving Max Verstappen during the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The incident unfolded during the second safety car restart and had major consequences for the reigning world champion’s race.

The drama began when Piastri, running near the front of the pack, suddenly slowed under the safety car just as the race was about to resume. Expecting acceleration, Verstappen surged forward — only to find Piastri hadn’t sped up. The resulting misjudgment caused Verstappen to spin, tumbling him down the order to 11th place.

Race officials launched an investigation into the sequence, ultimately concluding that Piastri’s abrupt deceleration played a critical role in the chaos. According to the FIA, the McLaren driver breached restart protocols, creating a risky situation for other drivers. As punishment, Piastri was given a 10-second time penalty — a decision that could have serious ramifications on his race result.

The ruling has sparked debate within the McLaren team. CEO Zak Brown, speaking with Sky Sports during the race, said the team is evaluating whether to challenge the decision. “We’re reviewing everything from the pit wall,” Brown commented. “The safety car call was late, and while it may have looked dramatic on the broadcast, our data doesn’t reflect any irregularities.”