The FIA has confirmed a major post-race disqualification following a chaotic and incident-filled 2026 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, adding another twist to an already dramatic weekend at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
The governing body announced after lengthy steward investigations that an F1 driver had been excluded from the final classification over a technical infringement discovered during post-race checks. The decision came hours after Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli claimed his fourth consecutive victory of the season in a race packed with reliability failures, penalties and strategy gambles.
According to FIA documents released late Sunday night, the disqualification followed concerns regarding compliance with technical regulations after the chequered flag. Stewards reviewed data and car components before confirming the exclusion, significantly reshuffling parts of the final race order.
The Canadian Grand Prix had already produced major headlines before the ruling. Mercedes driver George Russell retired from the lead after suffering a sudden power unit failure while battling teammate Antonelli in a fierce wheel-to-wheel contest.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton secured his best result yet for Ferrari by finishing second on the road after overtaking Max Verstappen late in the race. Verstappen completed the podium for Red Bull Racing in what became one of the most unpredictable races of the 2026 campaign.
The FIA’s latest decision once again highlights Formula One’s strict technical scrutiny, where even minor breaches can result in the sport’s harshest punishment. Teams are routinely inspected after races, with stewards checking everything from tyre pressures and plank wear to power unit components and fuel systems.
Several drivers had already appeared before the stewards during the Canadian GP weekend, including Hamilton and other stars involved in qualifying and race incidents.
The confirmed disqualification has intensified debate throughout the paddock, with rival teams now demanding greater consistency from FIA rulings as the championship battle continues to heat up heading into the Monaco Grand Prix.
Antonelli now leaves Canada with a commanding championship advantage after another dominant weekend for Mercedes, while the latest FIA verdict serves as a painful blow for the disqualified driver and team at a crucial stage of the season.