The Formula 2 paddock was rocked by one of the most astonishing disqualifications in recent memory following the Belgian Grand Prix feature race, as Noel Leon had his hard-fought points stripped away for an utterly bizarre reason. What should have been a solid seventh-place finish for the Campos Racing driver turned into a zero-point nightmare, all thanks to a misplaced piece of equipment.
Key Points from Spa-Francorchamps:
- Noel Leon was disqualified from the Belgian F2 feature race after finishing seventh.
- The extraordinary reason involved a Campos Racing team guest using an operational microphone headset during a red-flag period.
- This breach violated strict Formula 2 regulations regarding permitted staff and equipment.
- Campos Racing also faces a suspended 25-point deduction for the remainder of the season.
The Unprecedented Headset Fiasco
Stewards confirmed that the incident stemmed from a strict Formula 2 rule dictating the number of operational staff allowed per car. Teams are limited to just 12 operational members, with others designated as non-operational and prohibited from engaging in any mechanical work on the vehicle.
The breach occurred when a guest of Campos Racing inadvertently picked up a headset equipped with a microphone – a piece of equipment exclusively reserved for operational staff. This happened during a critical red-flagged period, an act deemed a direct violation of the sporting regulations.
Officials concluded that Campos Racing failed in its duty to ensure all personnel and guests adhered to equipment guidelines. As a result, Noel Leon was disqualified, losing the six valuable points he had earned for his seventh-place finish.
Tsolov's Escape and Campos's Warning
While Leon bore the brunt of the disqualification, his teammate, Red Bull starlet Nikola Tsolov, narrowly escaped a similar fate. Tsolov, who impressively secured third place, was initially at risk but was ultimately allowed to keep his podium finish.
Stewards were satisfied that the guest in question was present solely to support Leon and had no involvement with Tsolov's car or operational camp. However, the team itself wasn't entirely off the hook, receiving a severe warning in the form of a suspended 25-point championship deduction, looming over them for the rest of the year.
More Penalties Post-Race: Beganovic's Blunder
The headset incident wasn't the only post-race drama. Dino Beganovic also found himself in hot water, handed a five-second time penalty for moving in his grid box before the race start. Replays unequivocally showed his DAMS Lucas Oil car shifting prior to the lights going out.
Ironically, this movement was caused by Beganovic stalling his car, which then left him stranded on the grid. He eventually retired in the pit lane, rendering the penalty inconsequential to his final non-result. Still, it highlights the meticulous scrutiny applied by the stewards in every aspect of Formula 2 racing.
