Decision Sprint Qualifying Sc2 Sc1 Times
Chinese Grand Prix · 2026 · 13 March 2026 · Doc 33
- Session
- Sprint Qualifying
2026 CHINESE GRAND PRIX
13 - 15 March 2026
From The Stewards Document 33
To All Teams, All Officials Date 13 March 2026
Time 18:52
Title Decision - Sprint Qualifying SC2-SC1 Times
Description Sprint Qualifying SC2-SC1 Times
Enclosed CHN DOC 33 - Sprint Qualifying SC2-SC1 deleted lap times.pdf
Nish Shetty Matthew Selley
Pedro Lamy Zheng Honghai
The Stewards
2026 C G P HINESE RAND RIX
13 – 15 March 2026
From The Stewards Document 33
To All Officials, All Teams Date 13 March 2026
Time 18:52
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
Session Sprint Qualifying
Fact The F1 cars below exceeded the 1:56.0 time limit between the Safety Car lines.
| No | Car | Driver | Competitor | Time of Day | Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 15:36:27 | L4 (SQ1) |
| 2 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Scuderia Ferrari HP | 15:37:03 | L4 (SQ1) |
| 3 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 15:40:02 | L6 (SQ1) |
| 4 | 41 | Arvid Lindblad | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 15:40:09 | L6 (SQ1) |
| 5 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 15:40:15 | L6 (SQ1) |
| 6 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 15:40:41 | L5 (SQ1) |
| 7 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 15:40:47 | L5 (SQ1) |
| 8 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 15:56:49 | L7 (SQ2) |
| 9 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 15:56:55 | L13 (SQ2) |
| 10 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 15:57:07 | L7 (SQ2) |
Infringement Alleged breach of Article B1.8.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations and Article 12.2.1i of the FIA International Sporting Code (non-compliance with the Race Director’s Competition Notes, item 1, document 31).
Decision No further action.
Reasons The Stewards thoroughly reviewed Marshalling/Positioning data, timing data, on-board cameras and CCTV cameras.
All drivers concerned stayed at or above speeds necessary to stay below 1:56.0 around the vast majority of the circuit. However, in all cases the Stewards determined that the drivers took appropriate actions to not impede other drivers, The Stewards therefore determine that all drivers concerned did not drive “unnecessarily slowly”, and that they were above the maximum time because they took appropriate steps, and we therefore take no further action.
Note 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.
Nish Shetty Matthew Selley
Pedro Lamy Zheng Honghai
The Stewards