Doc 42 - Infringement - Car 1 - Technical non-conformity (CDS)

Lando Norris's car (Car 1) found with non-functional CDS due to tape over activation button, resulting in a €30,000 fine for McLaren with €10,000 suspended.

During Free Practice 2 at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, Lando Norris's car (Car 1) failed to comply with CDS (Car Disable System) requirements. The stewards found that McLaren had placed transparent tape over the CDS activation button, which prevented marshals from easily activating it during an emergency. This contravened regulation C9.3, as the taped button could not be operated quickly by a gloved marshal without tools, defeating the system's purpose. McLaren admitted the breach and cited aerodynamic reasoning. The team was fined €30,000, with €10,000 suspended for 12 months, reflecting a reduced penalty compared to a prior similar incident due to increased awareness. The decision emphasizes strict compliance with safety-critical systems.