Infringement Car 55 Overtaking The Safety Car
British Grand Prix · 2026 · 5 July 2026 · Doc 83
- Driver
- Carlos Sainz
- Team
- Atlassian Williams F1 Team
- Session
- Race
2026 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
03 - 05 July 2026
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
Atlassian Williams F1 Team Document 83 Date 05 July 2026 Time 19:56
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (document 76) and heard from the team representative, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 55 - Carlos Sainz Competitor Atlassian Williams F1 Team Time 16:26
Session Race
Fact Car 55 overtook the Safety Car after the "LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE" message had been displayed, despite not being entitled to do so under Article B5.13.4c of the FIA F1 Regulations. Infringement Breach of Article B5.13.4c of the FIA F1 Regulations. Decision 1 Penalty Lap. Reason The Stewards heard from the team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing and in-car video evidence. Although Car 55 was lapped at Safety Car Line 1 when entering the pit lane, due to the specific track and pit lane configuration at Silverstone it had temporarily unlapped itself by the time it crossed the Line at the end of the lap during which it crossed Safety Car Line 1 for the second time after the Safety Car was deployed. Consequently, Car 55 was not a lapped car for the purposes of Article B5.13.4 c) and was therefore not entitled to overtake the Safety Car when the "LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKEffi message was displayed. However, Car 55 unlapped itself once the message was displayed by Race Control. The Stewards noted that, after completing its pit stop, Car 55 once again was a lapped car when it re-joined the track. Given the exceptional track layout at this event, the Stewards understand how the sequence of events may have contributed to the team's confusion. The team representative acknowledged that the team nevertheless made two errors: firstly, by failing to recognise that Car 55 was not a lapped car at the relevant reference point under Article B5.13.4 c), and secondly, by failing to note that Car 55 was not included in the Race Control message identifying the cars permitted to overtake the Safety Car. The team representative accepted that they inadvertently gained a lap when they were not entitled to do so.
The Stewards In determining the appropriate penalty, the Stewards considered Article 12.4.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code. The Stewards are satisfied that the penalty lap is one of the penalties available to them under the FIA International Sporting Code and considered it to be the most appropriate penalty in the circumstances of this case. 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.