Lando Norris’s McLaren came to an unexpected halt during the second practice session at Monaco, prompting the driver and a team representative to be called before the stewards. Norris described the incident as the car “just switched off,” and the team will break the usual Friday‑night curfew to investigate the fault.
The summons cites a breach of Article C9.3 of the technical regulations, which mandates that every car be equipped with a functional clutch disengagement system (CDS) capable of shutting down the ERS and remaining operational for at least fifteen minutes after the car stops, even if other hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical systems fail. The failure of Norris’s CDS triggered the enquiry.
A comparable case occurred last year in Montreal when Liam Lawson’s car stalled, leading to a €30,000 fine for Racing Bulls after the stewards deemed the CDS issue a “serious matter.” FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer had warned teams in 2025 about the design of the CDS, a warning that now appears relevant to McLaren’s situation. Ferrari also appeared before the stewards, receiving a formal warning for Charles Leclerc’s involvement in impeding Lawson during FP1.
The outcome of the stewards’ review could result in penalties for McLaren, while the team’s overnight diagnostics will determine whether further action is required.
