FIA has fined Racing Bulls €30,000 (₹33,44,220) after Liam Lawson stopped on track during practice at the Canadian Grand Prix
The incident caused a Red flag interruption during the only practice session of the sprint weekend.
What Happened?
Lawson’s car suffered a Hydraulic failure just minutes into the session at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Marshals attempted to move the car using the mandatory Clutch Disengagement System (CDS), but the system failed, leaving the car stranded on the track.
Because the car could not be moved quickly, race control had no choice but to Red-flag the session and later extend practice by five minutes.
Why the FIA Took It Seriously
The FIA said the issue went beyond simply causing a red flag. Under Formula 1 regulations, every car must have a system capable of:
- Releasing the clutch
- Allowing the car to be pushed away safely
even if the car loses:
- Hydraulics
- Electronics
- Pneumatic systems
However, Racing Bulls designed its CDS system to also handle Anti-stall functions.
The FIA had reportedly already warned the team earlier about this design approach.
According to the stewards, the failure also created a potential safety risk because the CDS system is linked to the car’s electrical recovery systems.
Suspended Fine Included
Out of the total €30,000 fine, the FIA suspended €20,000 for 12 months, provided Racing Bulls avoids another similar rule breach.
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Conclusion
The fine shows the FIA viewed this as more than just a technical failure. Modern Formula 1 cars are incredibly complex, but the FIA clearly believes critical safety systems like the CDS need to remain as simple and reliable as possible.
The Racing Bulls’ attempt to combine multiple functions into one system may have looked efficient on paper, but in this case, it ended up causing a costly and embarrassing problem for the team.
