Oscar Piastri and McLaren officially cleared of wrongdoing following investigation car's brake system
Formula One's governing body has concluded its investigation into gun Australian driver Oscar Piastri and his high-flying McLaren car.
The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) issued a statement on Friday, clearing the team of wrongdoing following an 'extensive physical inspection' of the car.
The inspection came after McLaren's impressive 1-2 quinella at the recent Miami Grand Prix, where Piastri and his teammate Lando Norris dominated.
It also follows a lot of noise from Red Bull boss Christian Horner who has repeatedly aired suspicions about McLaren's rear brake design.
The 24-year-old Melburnian is currently the series leader this season after winning four of the opening six races.
But Horner has been suggesting McLaren are using a secret and illegal cooling system on the rear brake drum.
However, the FIA found no evidence to support those allegations.
'After the race in Miami, car No. 81 (Piastri) was randomly chosen among the 10 cars for more extensive physical inspections,' the FIA said.
'Subject to these physical inspections were the wheel bodywork assemblies.
'The following checks were carried out on all corners: The compliance of all components with TR Article 3.13. Physical checks for compliance with TR Article 11.5 on all four corners.
'All inspected components were found to be in conformance with the 2025 Formula One Technical Regulations.'
It is the second time the FIA have looked at Piastri's McLaren and ticked off the car.
The car was also reviewed at last year's Singapore Grand Prix.
Horner first questioned McLaren's brakes last year.
He again hinted that the rival team was up to something after Piastri and Norris both went past pole-sitter Max Verstappen in Miami.
Red Bull's Verstappen gave up his lead on lap 13 after braking too late at the first corner, losing more ground to Norris five laps later.
Verstappen could only lament his luck on the team radio: 'F*** brakes, man. Honestly useless,' he was heard saying.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
34 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Geely's first model in Australia gets its first running updates over the air
Geely Auto Australia has announced the first over-the-air (OTA) update for its inaugural model, the Geely EX5 mid-size electric SUV, which will be progressively rolled out to customers across the country. In a media release issued this week, Geely says its first OTA update will change the low-speed pedestrian alert sound 'to a more traditional humming tone, which will be less prominent in the [vehicle's] cabin'. Further, the update also brings 'enhancements to the vehicle's software, including optimised CarbitLink performance and improved range calculation when route planning in the Navigation app'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Geely Auto Australia CEO Lei Li said this first set of running changes are in response to initial customer feedback. 'Our team has analysed feedback direct from our customers and dealer network, and worked on an update that we're sure will make experiences with the Geely EX5 even more enjoyable,' Mr Li said. 'Geely actively listens to feedback so we can provide the right products for the local market; this step is one of the many actions that we can take in order to provide high value vehicles to our ever-dynamic Australian customers.' To access and apply this update, owners should navigate to the 'My Car' menu on their EX5's infotainment screen. The company recommends connecting to Wi-Fi or a smartphone hotspot before initiating the update 'to ensure a stable connection during download'. More information can be accessed at the Geely Auto Australia website. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The Chinese brand has already confirmed the next OTA update will be the addition of Apple CarPlay functionality, expected to become available mid-way through the third quarter of 2025 (July-September). Android Auto will follow, 'with anticipated delivery in late 2025'. To the end of May 2025, Geely has registered 1023 new EX5 vehicles in Australia. It's the first model to be launched as part of the Chinese brand's renewed assault on the Australian market. Next cab off the rank for the Chinese brand is expected to be a plug-in hybrid version of the EX5 – a direct rival for the top-selling Tesla Model Y – known abroad as the Geely Galaxy Starship 7. The SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor that is fed by either an 8.5kWh or 19.09kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. EV range is claimed to be 55-120km depending on battery variant. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest MORE: Everything Geely EX5
7NEWS
37 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Geely's first model in Australia gets its first running updates over the air
Geely Auto Australia has announced the first over-the-air (OTA) update for its inaugural model, the Geely EX5 mid-size electric SUV, which will be progressively rolled out to customers across the country. In a media release issued this week, Geely says its first OTA update will change the low-speed pedestrian alert sound 'to a more traditional humming tone, which will be less prominent in the [vehicle's] cabin'. Further, the update also brings 'enhancements to the vehicle's software, including optimised CarbitLink performance and improved range calculation when route planning in the Navigation app'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Geely Auto Australia CEO Lei Li said this first set of running changes are in response to initial customer feedback. 'Our team has analysed feedback direct from our customers and dealer network, and worked on an update that we're sure will make experiences with the Geely EX5 even more enjoyable,' Mr Li said. 'Geely actively listens to feedback so we can provide the right products for the local market; this step is one of the many actions that we can take in order to provide high value vehicles to our ever-dynamic Australian customers.' To access and apply this update, owners should navigate to the 'My Car' menu on their EX5's infotainment screen. The company recommends connecting to Wi-Fi or a smartphone hotspot before initiating the update 'to ensure a stable connection during download'. More information can be accessed at the Geely Auto Australia website. The Chinese brand has already confirmed the next OTA update will be the addition of Apple CarPlay functionality, expected to become available mid-way through the third quarter of 2025 (July-September). Android Auto will follow, 'with anticipated delivery in late 2025'. To the end of May 2025, Geely has registered 1023 new EX5 vehicles in Australia. It's the first model to be launched as part of the Chinese brand's renewed assault on the Australian market. Next cab off the rank for the Chinese brand is expected to be a plug-in hybrid version of the EX5 – a direct rival for the top-selling Tesla Model Y – known abroad as the Geely Galaxy Starship 7. The SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor that is fed by either an 8.5kWh or 19.09kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. EV range is claimed to be 55-120km depending on battery variant. Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Air time as Aussie rookie surfer stuns Brazilian great
Australian rookie Joel Vaughan has shocked top-ranked Brazilian Italo Ferreira to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Trestles Pro in California. Competing in his first season on the World Surf League's Championship Tour, the 21-year-old took down the world No.2 in a high-scoring round-of-16 heat on Wednesday (local time). Sydneysider Vaughan, ranked No.19 heading into the contest, produced his best performance of the season at Lower Trestles to overhaul Ferreira, winning 16.87 to 16.20. His top wave on the famous San Clemente break earned a score of 8.57, rewarded for an off-axis air reverse after showing his skill and variety on the build-up. Vaughan then came through with the winning wave, launching into a straight air with 90 seconds left on the clock. He will next face hometown hero Griffin Colapinto, who beat another Brazilian in Felipe Toledo. "I know Italo's such a great competitor, and you can never really tell what he's going to do, so I thought I might as well try to go big and risk it, and yeah, a great performance," Vaughan said. "I'd fallen on a straight air a few waves before it and I was a bit bummed, so I just wanted to just make it. "I kind of missed the grab and bobbled a little bit, but then made it and got around and got another turn." Fellow Australian Jack Robinson meets another local hope in Cole Houshmand after the American eliminated rankings leader Jordy Smith from South Africa. World No.7 Robinson was in impressive form in his victory over Italian Leonardo Fioravanti, scoring a total of 17.07, including a huge score of 8.87. Sixth-ranked Ethan Ewing eliminated Jake Marshall, with the Queenslander next taking on Brazilian world No.3 Yago Dora in the quarters. In the women's field, Molly Picklum is the only Australian remaining, booking a place in the semi-finals, which are set down for Saturday (local time), with the competition on hold until then. World No.3 Picklum ousted veteran Lakey Peterson 12.50 to 11.47 and has been drawn against America's second-ranked Caitlin Simmers, the reigning world champion, in the final four. The other semi-final line-up is still to be decided. "I felt like I was watching it all day and getting so inspired by the boys and they were ripping. I definitely felt we'd get more waves, but I know at Lowers it can get slow," Picklum said. "I'd be stoked to beat Caity. It's really fun when it's her and I, and it's always more fun when there's waves. "I know what she's capable of and know what I'm capable of, and I really think I have a chance against her." Australian two-time world champion and world No.6 Tyler Wright and fourth-ranked Isabella Nichols both bowed out in the elimination round.
