The McLaren Formula 1 team is seeking clarification on Oscar Piastri’s penalty in the qualifying stage of the Austrian Grand Prix, but their protest has been rejected. McLaren wanted to understand why Piastri’s fastest time in Q3 at the Red Bull Ring was invalidated for exceeding track limits at turn 6. The team argued that the evidence presented by the FIA, which consisted of helicopter and fixed camera footage, was not sufficient. They claimed that the low resolution and quality of the images made it difficult to determine whether Piastri had crossed the white line beyond any reasonable doubt. McLaren lodged the protest to further discuss the matter, but their request for a hearing was denied. The FIA commissioners clarified that the subject of the protest was not the qualifying results, but rather a decision made during the session to exclude a lap time, which cannot be protested. Furthermore, the commissioners pointed out several technical issues that McLaren’s protest did not meet, including it being directed at the wrong authority, not specifying the relevant regulations, and not specifying the target of the protest. As a result, McLaren loses the €2000 deposit. Although they have the right to appeal, it is unlikely given the quick publication of the commissioners’ verdict shortly after McLaren confirmed that Piastri will start in seventh position, behind Mercedes and Ferraris. Team principal Andrea Stella still expressed disagreement with the enforcement of track limits, calling it a questionable approach. Stella remains optimistic for the next race, aiming to finish in a better position than the current seventh on the grid.
