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Infringement PDF

Infringement Car 23 Failing To Follow Race Directors Instructions Sc2 Sc1

British Grand Prix · 2026 · 3 July 2026 · Doc 29

Driver
Alexander Albon
Team
Atlassian Williams F1 Team
Session
Sprint Qualifying

2026 BRITISH GRAND PRIX

03 - 05 July 2026

From The Stewards

To The Team Manager,

Atlassian Williams F1 Team Document 29 Date 03 July 2026 Time 19:47

The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (document 20) and heard from the driver and team representative, have considered the following matter and determine the following:

No / Driver 23 - Alexander Albon Competitor Atlassian Williams F1 Team Time 16:39 Session Sprint Qualifying Fact Car 23 exceeded the time limit between the Saftey Car lines. Infringement Breach of Article 12.2.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code and non-compliance with Race Director's Competition Notes (Item 1, Document 5) in combination with Document 17. Decision Driver: Warning. Reason The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 23 (Alexander Albon), the team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence. Car 23 exceeded the maximum time between Safety Car Line 2 and Safety Car Line 1 during SQ1 by 4.6 seconds on a cool down lap. The driver explained that Silverstone is particularly demanding in terms of energy harvesting and that, on this lap, the car was energy-limited, which affected his usage of the throttle. He stated that he attempted to recover the delta towards the end of the lap but realised too late that he was above the prescribed time and accepted that an element of human error was involved. The Stewards recognise that the 2026 cars require significantly more active energy management than in previous seasons and accept that this can materially contribute to exceedance of the SC2–SC1 time, particularly at a circuit such as Silverstone. The Stewards therefore accept that the energy management demands of the car were a contributing factor in this case and take that into account as mitigation. However, the Stewards do not consider that the general demands of energy harvesting and battery preparation can operate as a standing justification for exceeding the prescribed maximum time. In this case, no cars were allowed through and the driver accepted that he realised too late that he was above the prescribed time and that human error was a contributing factor. The Stewards were therefore not satisfied that the exceedance was fully explained by the specific circumstances of the lap.

The Stewards In light of the mitigating circumstances, the Stewards impose a Warning. The Stewards nevertheless make clear that similar cases will continue to be carefully examined and that energy management, of itself, will not be accepted as sufficient justification for future exceedances of the prescribed maximum time.

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.

Gerd Ennser Tanja Geilhausen

Mathieu Remmerie Pedro Lamy

Richard Norbury

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