Noel Leon was disqualified from the Formula 2 feature race at the Belgian Grand Prix after a never-before-seen rule breach involving a team guest using the wrong type of headset. The FIA stewards confirmed the decision several hours after the race, stripping Leon of his seventh-place finish and six championship points.
Unprecedented Disqualification
The race, held at Spa-Francorchamps, was won by Ferrari junior Rafael Camara, who finished five seconds ahead of Thai racer Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak. Red Bull starlet and championship leader Nikola Tsolov took third place. However, the most unusual outcome was the disqualification of Leon, who had finished seventh on the road.
According to the stewards, the breach occurred during a red-flagged period when a guest in the Campos Racing garage picked up a headset with a microphone attached. This headset was reserved for operational staff, violating Formula 2's strict cap on the number of people allowed to work on each car. A maximum of 12 operational staff members are permitted, with others classified as non-operational and barred from participating in mechanical work.
Team Responsibility
A Campos Racing team representative confirmed that the guest had inadvertently taken the wrong headset. The stewards determined that the team failed in its responsibility to ensure the correct equipment was provided to all staff and guests. As a result, Leon was disqualified, and the team faces a suspended deduction of 25 championship points for the remainder of the year.
Leon had left the circuit by the time of the hearing and could not attend. However, third-placed Tsolov, also representing Campos, was present. His result was initially at risk but was upheld after the stewards were satisfied that the guest was supporting Leon and had no involvement with Tsolov's camp.
Other Penalties
The stewards also penalized Dino Beganovic with a five-second time penalty for moving in his grid box before the start. Replays showed his DAMS Lucas Oil car moved before the lights went out. However, Beganovic had stalled the car, causing the movement, and was left stranded on the grid. He was pushed into the pit lane and retired from the race, so the penalty had no effect on his result.
