McLaren F1 Challenges FIA Over Piastri's Lap Annulment

McLaren F1 officially contests the FIA’s decision to annul Oscar Piastri’s lap, citing discrepancies in the ruling.

McLaren has filed a complaint over the decision to annul Oscar Piastri’s lap during the Austrian Grand Prix qualifiers. The Australian driver’s time was erased for reportedly exceeding track limits, now defined by a blue line on the ground and AI analysis.

Andrea Stella, the team’s director, seeks a precise explanation as to why his driver’s time was cancelled, particularly since the wheel appeared still on the blue line and his right wheels were already in the gravel, which could be considered a time disadvantage.

“We have lodged a complaint, which has been acknowledged but not yet examined,” the Italian revealed in the Red Bull Ring paddock this Saturday evening. “Because we want the opportunity to continue the conversation.”

“Our approach to racing is that we do not want what we do not deserve. But when the penalty is so severe, it is not in McLaren’s interest. There must be clear evidence.”

“We have taken the next formal step. I suppose if it has not been done in terms of monitoring and hearing the protest, maybe there is an ongoing discussion – I cannot say. The ball is not in our court at the moment.”

A “reasonable doubt” still exists

Stella confirms that the team did not observe the MCL38 exceeding the limit: “We have asked for clarification. Specifically, we wanted to review the evidence that the car exceeded track limits beyond any reasonable doubt.”

“I cannot say that the reasonable doubt is satisfied. There are a few principles to adhere to. The first is that the system used must have adequate resolution and the second is that the methodology used for one car must be applicable to all cars.”

“For example, if you use a helicopter view for one car, you must use the helicopter view and it must be available for all cars. We are normally very supportive of the FIA, we always recognise that everyone is doing their best.”

“But in this case, we could not agree that the car had exceeded the track limit beyond any reasonable doubt, and that it met the two conditions I mentioned earlier, so the discussion is still ongoing.”

Team representatives were summoned at 19:35 to explain before the stewards, and the decision is expected to be made tonight.