Infringement Car 55 Crossing The White Line At Pit Entry
Belgian Grand Prix · 2026 · 17 July 2026 · Doc 19
- Driver
- Carlos Sainz
- Team
- Atlassian Williams F1 Team
- Session
- Free Practice 1
2026 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
17 - 19 July 2026
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
Atlassian Williams F1 Team Document 19 Date 17 July 2026 Time 16:33
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (document 16) and heard from the driver and team representative, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 55 - Carlos Sainz Competitor Atlassian Williams F1 Team Time 13:54 Session Free Practice 1 Fact Crossing the white line at pit entry. Infringement Breach of Appendix L, Chapter IV Article 4 of the International Sporting Code as clarified by Race Director's Event Notes (item 15.2, document 6). Decision Driver: Reprimand (Driving). This is the driver's 1st reprimand of the season. Reason The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 55 (Carlos Sainz), team representative and reviewed in-car video evidence. Item 15.2 of the Race Director's Event Notes provides that any driver passing to the right-hand side of the bollard at safety car line 1 will be considered as entering the pit lane for the purposes of Appendix L, Chapter IV Article 4 of the International Sporting Code which provides that any car entering the pit lane must not cross a painted line separating cars entering the pit lane from cars on the track. Car 55 passed to the right-hand side of the bollard at safety car line 1 and immediately thereafter turned left across the line and rejoined the track. Team radio confirmed that the driver had been given an instruction from his engineer to enter the pit lane and, having committed to do so by passing to the right of the bollard, was given a counter-insruction to return to the track to recharge energy. In complying with that instruction, the driver breached Appendix L, Chapter IV Article 4 because the Event Notes deemed him to have entered the pit lane. The driver acknowledeged the breach. He said he received a very late call from his engineer and realised that if he didn't rejoin the track his energy level would be so depleted it would mean he would lose laps regenerating after he changed to a soft tyre. He said that he checked his mirrors before rejoining the track and there was no traffic coming. Therefore what he did was not dangerous. While the Stewards were satisfied that in this instance what occurred was not dangerous, the reason for the prohibition on the crossing of the line at pit entry is to prevent the possibility of an inherently dangerous situation. While we have some sympathy for the driver receiving a very late instruction from his engineer, on the driver's own admission the rule was breached in order to ensure that the driver did
The Stewards not suffer a sporting disadvantage from having entered the pit lane with a low energy level. The Stewards therefore determined to impose a reprimand on the driver.
Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.