FIA launches Colton Herta investigation after Italian GP incident

Colton Herta's challenging Friday at Monza took another turn as the FIA launched an investigation into the Cadillac-backed driver over an alleged technical non-compliance. The American was summoned to the stewards regarding the Clutch Disengagement System (CDS) after a day that included a heavy crash in F2 practice and a suspected hydraulic issue in FP1.

Why it matters:

Herta is making his third FP1 appearance of the season with Cadillac, and this investigation adds to a turbulent day for the rookie. With the team still finding its feet in Formula 1, any technical breach could disrupt his development programme and the team's progress. The CDS is a critical component in the new power unit era, and any irregularity could carry consequences for the race weekend.

The details:

• Herta crashed heavily at the second Lesmo during the sole F2 practice session, but walked away unhurt.
• He then joined FP1 for Cadillac, only to be told to park the car due to a suspected hydraulic issue.
• The stranded car prompted a Virtual Safety Car, which was upgraded to a red flag as marshals worked to recover it.
• Later, Herta was called to see the FIA stewards over an alleged technical non-compliance regarding the Clutch Disengagement System (CDS).

What's next:

The stewards will now assess the case and decide whether any penalty is warranted. Herta will be hoping to put the disruption behind him and focus on the rest of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, with the investigation potentially casting a shadow over his preparations.