Just in:Chaos in Canada:FIA confirm 70-PLACE grid penalty ruling at Canadian Gp after Russell p…read more
Chaos in Canada:FIA confirm 70-PLACE grid penalty ruling at Canadian Gp after Russell p…read more
The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal was thrown into disarray as the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) confirmed a series of significant penalties that dramatically altered the starting grid. In a surprising turn of events, Formula 1 drivers Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson were hit with severe grid penalties that ultimately forced both of them to start the race from the pit lane, rather than taking their originally qualified positions on the grid.
The penalties came after their teams made substantial overnight changes to their cars, specifically targeting the power unit components. According to the FIA’s strict technical regulations, each driver is allowed to use a limited number of specific power unit elements—such as the internal combustion engine, turbocharger, energy store, and control electronics—over the course of the season. Exceeding these limits leads to grid penalties in order to maintain fairness and to discourage teams from repeatedly swapping in fresh parts for performance advantages.
Both Gasly and Lawson’s teams exceeded these permitted allocations by a considerable margin, prompting the FIA to step in and issue penalties totaling an extraordinary 70 places on the grid for each driver. In Formula 1, when penalties accumulate to such an extent that they cannot be practically served on the grid—since there are only 20 cars in the race—the drivers are automatically required to start from the pit lane. This is considered one of the most severe starting disadvantages in the sport, as it forces drivers to begin the race after the rest of the field has passed the pit exit, costing them critical track position from the outset.
The decision by the FIA was officially communicated to the teams after thorough reviews of the changes made overnight. The modifications, while necessary from a team reliability standpoint, violated the season’s component limits, leaving the governing body with little choice but to impose strict penalties. The teams, reportedly, had no alternative but to make the changes to keep the cars competitive and safe for the race.
This chaotic development added an unexpected twist to the race weekend. Fans and analysts quickly began speculating about how the pit lane starts would affect the strategies of both drivers and their teams. Starting from the pit lane not only removes the opportunity to gain positions at the race start but also isolates the drivers from the main pack initially, often requiring unconventional strategies to climb back into contention.
For Pierre Gasly, this setback was especially frustrating as his team had shown promising pace in the practice sessions, and he was expected to contend for a solid midfield position. Liam Lawson, meanwhile, found himself in a challenging position in what was already a tough race weekend for him. Both drivers would now have to rely heavily on alternative race strategies, potential safety car periods, and tire management to try to salvage points from the back of the field.
The FIA’s enforcement of these penalties underscores their commitment to maintaining regulatory consistency and fairness across the grid. While some fans expressed disappointment at not being able to see a full grid start for Gasly and Lawson, others acknowledged the importance of adhering to the technical rules that keep the sport competitive and safe.
As the dust settled, all eyes turned to how both drivers would approach the uphill battle that awaited them in Sunday’s race. Despite the significant obstacles, Formula 1 has often seen dramatic recoveries from pit lane starts, leaving some hope that Gasly and Lawson might still deliver standout performances in what had quickly become one of the most unpredictable races of the season.
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