The FIA issued a series of major penalties after the Canadian Grand Prix, with both Aston Martin and Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls punished following post-race investigations in Montreal.
In one of the most dramatic and controversial weekends of the 2026 Formula One season, Racing Bulls were hit with a crushing double disqualification after FIA inspectors discovered technical rule breaches on both cars during post-race checks at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Reports from the paddock suggested FIA officials identified irregularities involving operational systems and car setup procedures, triggering an immediate inquiry once the race concluded. Following the investigation, stewards confirmed that both Racing Bulls entries had been removed from the final race classification. The team was also handed a heavy financial penalty, with part of the sanction suspended on the condition of future compliance with FIA regulations.
The FIA’s investigation is believed to have centred on clutch systems and anti-stall functions, areas that are tightly controlled under Formula One’s technical regulations. In its official verdict, the governing body reportedly labelled the issue as “serious,” underlining the importance of strict adherence to both sporting and technical rules throughout an entire race weekend.
Aston Martin also endured a difficult outcome in Canada. While the Silverstone-based outfit avoided disqualification, the team received several fines and sporting penalties after stewards identified procedural violations during the weekend.
Home favourite Lance Stroll was among those penalised after Aston Martin altered elements of his car while it remained under parc fermé conditions ahead of the race, resulting in a grid drop that added to the team’s frustrations at its home Grand Prix.
The sanctions capped off a chaotic Canadian Grand Prix weekend filled with investigations, steward interventions and technical inspections involving multiple teams and drivers. Changing conditions, pit-lane incidents and several controversial moments ensured FIA officials remained heavily involved throughout the event.
For Racing Bulls, the double disqualification dealt a major blow to their championship campaign, stripping the team of valuable points and increasing pressure ahead of the next race. Aston Martin escaped the most severe punishment, but still departed Montreal facing criticism after another turbulent weekend.
The FIA also reminded teams that all rulings can be appealed under the International Sporting Code, although neither Racing Bulls nor Aston Martin immediately indicated whether they planned to challenge the decisions.