FIA clear Esteban Ocon after Canadian Grand Prix disqualification scare. Haas driver investigated over suspected tyre pressure breach before Montreal sprint race as stewards issue unusual explanation
A dramatic post-race investigation involving Esteban Ocon ended without punishment at the Canadian Grand Prix after FIA stewards officially cleared the Haas driver of any tyre pressure infringement following Saturday’s sprint race in Montreal.
Ocon had finished 13th in the sprint around the iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, narrowly behind Liam Lawson and ahead of highly rated rookie team-mate Oliver Bearman.
However, shortly after the session, the Frenchman found himself under scrutiny after FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer referred Haas to the stewards over a suspected breach of tyre operating procedures on the starting grid.
According to the FIA report, tyre pressures on Ocon’s car had initially been checked and approved before the sprint. But concerns were raised after officials believed air may have been released from the left-rear tyre while the wheel remained fitted to the car — a potential violation of FIA tyre handling regulations.
The matter immediately raised the possibility of a disqualification from the sprint classification, with Ocon summoned to appear before the stewards later in the afternoon.
FIA discover unusual misunderstanding
Following an investigation involving video analysis and equipment inspection, stewards ultimately concluded that no rule breach had taken place.
In an unusual explanation issued after the hearing, the FIA confirmed that what initially appeared to be an air hose connected to the tyre was actually an electrical cable linked to the tyre blanket.
The governing body stated that multiple camera angles, including footage from the FIA grid camera and a nearby competitor’s onboard video, conclusively proved that no air had been released from the tyre.
Stewards also examined Haas’ tyre blanket equipment and tyre pressure gauge before reaching their verdict.
The FIA statement explained that the grid scrutineer had mistakenly interpreted the cable as an air hose because of the near-identical appearance between the two components.
As a result, Ocon escaped any sanction and retained his 13th-place finish in the sprint classification.
Relief for Haas amid difficult season
The verdict comes as an important reprieve for Haas F1 Team during a season where every result and every championship point carries increasing significance in the tightly packed midfield battle.
Although Ocon narrowly missed out on points in the sprint, avoiding a disqualification prevents further damage to both the driver’s standing and the team’s momentum heading into the remainder of the Montreal weekend.
The incident also highlights the FIA’s increasingly strict scrutiny surrounding tyre procedures, an area teams have faced growing monitoring over in recent seasons as Formula 1 continues tightening operational compliance standards across the grid.