Three teams penalised for Melbourne weekend following pre-season testing infraction

Following on from pre-season testing, DAMS Lucas Oil, Rodin Motorsport, and TRIDENT have been penalised by the Stewards ahead of the race weekend in Melbourne.

The decision, made at the first convening of the 2025 season by the FIA Stewards in accordance with ISC Article 11.9.2b, comes after three teams were found to have broken Article 10.2a of the FIA Sporting Regulations as well as Article 1.5.2, Article 8.4.10 and Article 8.4.11 of the FIA Formula 2 Technical Regulations.

Cars 11, 16, 17 and 23 were found with an air pressure sensor installed via the drilling of holes in the diffusor to convey the airflow beneath it into the pipeline of the pressure sensor, modifying a standard part in the process.

As a result, DAMS Lucas Oil, Rodin Motorsport and TRIDENT have been fined €10,000 per car for the sensor fitted during testing as a penalty and deterrent.

The Stewards also ruled that due to the collection of data that could theoretically be applied and used as an advantage for the other cars that did not fit the sensor within the teams, both cars of the teams involved will serve 10-place grid penalties for both races across the Melbourne Event.

As part of the ruling, the Stewards strongly recommended that all teams involved be restricted to two days of running during the upcoming in-season test in Sakhir, Bahrain. They added that it should be at the discretion of the Championship promoter to determine which day they will be prevented from running.

Finally, the Stewards strongly recommended that the Technical Delegate issue a Technical Bulletin for Bahrain in-season testing, allowing teams the opportunity to apply for permission to use similar sensors for the duration of the test, and that the Technical Delegate should not accept applications from DAMS Lucas Oil, Rodin Motorsport or TRIDENT.

The promoter will apply the recommendation of the Stewards at the in-season test in Bahrain.