Noel Leon was excluded from the main Formula 2 race at Spa-Francorchamps after an infraction as unusual as it was astonishing. His team Campos Racing also received a heavy penalty.
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The Formula 2 Belgian Grand Prix reserved a big surprise after the finish. Initially classified seventh in the main race at Spa-Francorchamps, Noel Leon was ultimately disqualified by the stewards following an incident involving… one of his guests.
The Campos Racing driver thus loses the points from his seventh place, while his team was also sanctioned.
A radio helmet forbidden in the pit lane
The stewards opened an investigation after noticing that a person not part of the team’s operational staff was using a helmet equipped with a microphone in the pit lane.
The incident occurred during the race suspension caused by the red flag, following Laurens Van Hoepen’s accident.
At first, the stewards also summoned Leon’s teammate, Nikola Tsolov. But after examination, they concluded that only Noel Leon’s car was concerned, the person involved being a guest of the Mexican driver.
The guest had been warned… but continued
During the hearing, Campos Racing explained that this guest had, by mistake, taken a helmet allowing access to the team’s radio communications.
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A technical steward quickly informed him that this equipment was forbidden because it was equipped with a microphone.
Despite this warning, the person put the helmet back on and continued to use it, which led the stewards to find a breach of the Formula 2 sporting regulations.
They also reproached Campos Racing for not sufficiently controlling the use of this equipment in the pit lane.
A heavy penalty for Campos Racing
Considering that the regulations had been violated, the stewards decided to disqualify Noel Leon from the main race.
Additionally, Campos Racing was fined 20,000 euros.
The team was also deducted 25 points in the constructors’ championship. However, this last sanction is suspended: it will only be applied if Campos Racing commits a similar infraction again before the end of the 2026 season.
A particularly rare decision that reminds us that, even off the track, strict compliance with the procedures imposed by the FIA remains essential.
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