Liam Lawson referred to stewards for technical breach at Canadian Grand Prix
22nd May 2026Liam Lawson has been placed under the spotlight by the FIA technical delegate after his car’s Clutch Disengagement System did not work as it should.
Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool
As the drivers and teams went out onto the Canadian Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for their first and only practice session, thanks to the sprint race format.
FP1 was interrupted a handful of times, including when Lawson’s Racing Bulls lost power steering – reported by the New Zealander.
The #30 pulled to the side of the track, on the exit of turn four, and it was soon red-flagged to allow the marshals to extract the stranded Racing Bulls car.
However, mid-session, a report from the FIA Technical Delegate, Jo Bauer, had come in. It confirmed that the CDS (Clutch Disengagement System) did not work as required under the Technical Regulations.
New document: Doc 17 – Car 30; CDS not functioning when car stopped on the track
Published on 22.05.26 19:28 CET#F1 #Formula1 #FIA #CanadianGP 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/fV0WfslgdK— FIA F1 Documents Bot (@fiadocsbot) May 22, 2026
In Bauer’s report, he said:
“When car 30 [Lawson] stopped on the track during FP1, the marshals pressed the CDS button at 12:41. But it turned out that the CDS was not working as required by the F1 regulations, Article C9.3.
“I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.”
According to the technical regulations, all of the F1 competitors must fit a means of disengaging the clutch for a minimum of 15 minutes to their cars. This is in the event of the car coming to rest with the engine stopped.
The system itself must still be in working order throughout the competition, even if the main hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical systems on the car have failed.
In addition, it must also shut down the ERS, Energy Recovery System, as required by another technical regulation, C5.17.1.
If the team are found to be in breach of the technical regulations, it could result in a penalty, either financial against the team or a sporting penalty against Lawson himself.
We will keep you updated as this story continues to develop.Â
Read more Formula 1 here:
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- Russell looks to hit back in Canada after Miami setback
- Canadian Grand Prix: the latest forecast expects wet race
- F1 2026 Canadian Grand Prix: Full schedule and times
- Colapinto aiming to keep Alpine momentum going in Canada
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
