MULTIPLE F1 stars officially demoted at Australian Grand Prix

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Australian Grand Prix

MULTIPLE F1 stars officially demoted at Australian Grand Prix

An F1 star has been hit with a late ruling at the Australian Grand Prix

Originally written by Matthew Hobkinson. This version is a translation.

Sunday 16 March 2025 05:07

The FIA have confirmed that multiple Formula 1 stars have been demoted at the Australian Grand Prix.

Liam Lawson and Ollie Bearman are both in full-time F1 drives for the first time this season, but things couldn't have gone much worse for the young pair.

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For Bearman, the 19-year-old stepped in for Kevin Magnussen last year with a late switch, but now lines up for the team in his own right this season.

His Friday running was cut short after a nasty crash in FP1 that ultimately prevented him from getting out on track for FP2 also.

Oliver Bearman signed for Haas for the 2025 F1 season

The teenager endured a nightmare start to the Australian GP weekend

The teenager was unable to set a time in qualifying and needed permission from the FIA to start the race on Sunday.

Lawson meanwhile was plagued by suspected power unit issues in free practice and was only able to qualify down in P18 for lights out.

FIA announce late demotion for F1 stars

And now both Haas and Red Bull have made late changes to Bearman and Lawson's cars.

Bearman's suspension was changed under parc ferme conditions, meaning that he now has to line up from the pitlane.

Bearman will now be required to start from the pitlane

An official FIA document read: "Haas F1 Team changed the setup of the suspension of Car 87 [Bearman] under parc ferme, this not being in accordance with Article 40.9 of the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.

"Car 87 is therefore required to start the Race from pit lane."

Parc ferme: Means 'closed park' in French, parc ferme is an area where cars are kept after qualifying to ensure they haven't been illegally modified before the race.

Red Bull have also made a late change to Lawson's car under parc ferme conditions.

"The rear wing and rear beam wing of car number 30 [Lawson] were changed to ones of a different specification," an official FIA document read.

"Therefore car number 30 should now be required to start the Race from the pit lane according to Article 40.9 a) of the 2025 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations."

McLaren FIA Liam Lawson Australian Grand Prix Kevin Magnussen Ollie Bearman