F2 driver disqualified, fined for guest’s unfortunate mistake

Leon, who was competing as part of the Belgian Grand Prix undercard, was disqualified from Sunday’s race in which he had finished seventh.

He was also fined 20,000 euros ($32,000 AUD) while Campos Racing was docked 25 points in the teams’ championship.

FIA stewards determined a person who was deemed “non-operational” to the team wore a radio headset fitted with a microphone and “therefore had the appearance of potentially being able to transmit” [sic] but should have had a listen-only headset.

As such, there was a breach of Appendix 5 and Article 21.5 of the FIA Formula 2 Championship sporting regulations, which states non-operational personnel must only be in possession of a listen-only radio headset.

“During the hearing, the Team Manager explained that the person concerned, who was a team guest, had inadvertently taken the wrong type of headset,” an FIA document read in part.

“The Stewards noted that the team guest had been approached by a scrutineer and informed that the headset was not permitted as it was fitted with a microphone.

“The scrutineer was advised in response that the microphone was folded upwards.

“Despite having been specifically advised that the headset was not permitted, the team guest subsequently put the headset back on and continued to use it.

“Nevertheless, the team remains responsible for ensuring that radio equipment provided to non-operational personnel and team guests complies with the applicable requirements.

“The regulations in this respect are clear: non-operational personnel may only be in possession of a listen-only radio headset.

“The team is expected to exercise greater care in controlling the allocation and use of such equipment.”

Leon had left the circuit by the time the hearing took place, which was attended by his teammate Nikola Tsolov and another Campos Racing representative.

The stewards determined that the offence only related to Leon’s car.

The stewards said it was the team’s responsibility to make sure that its guests were in compliance with the regulations.

Leon sits fifth in the championship after eight rounds. His teammate Tsolov leads the standings, 27 points ahead of MP Motorsport driver Gabriele Mini.