Infringement Car 81 Impeding Of Car 27
Japanese Grand Prix · 2026 · 28 March 2026 · Doc 44
- Driver
- Oscar Piastri
- Team
- McLaren Mastercard F1 Team
- Session
- Free Practice 3
2026 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
27 - 29 March 2026
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
McLaren Mastercard F1 Team Document 44 Date 28 March 2026 Time 13:33
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (documents 38 & 39) and heard from the drivers and team representatives, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 81 - Oscar Piastri Competitor McLaren Mastercard F1 Team Time 11:46 Session Free Practice 3 Fact Car 81 impeded Car 27 into turn 15. Infringement Breach of Article B4.1.1 of the FIA F1 Regulations. Decision Driver: Warning. Reason The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 81 (Oscar Piastri), team representatives and reviewed video, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence.
Car 81 was weaving across the track warming tyres on the straight between turns 14 and 15 when Car 27 approached at high speed on a push lap. Team radio confirmed that the Driver of Car 81 had received a warning from the team that Car 27 was behind on a timed lap. When Car 27 arrived at the entry to turn 15, Car 81 stopped weaving but remained on the racing line and moved off line but the closing speed of the two cars was such that the driver of Car 27 had to lift and brake.
The Driver of Car 81 explained that he heard the warning of Car 27's approach amd saw Car 27 in his mirrors as Car 27 was exiting turn 14. He said that at that point Car 27 was so far back that he believed he had ample time to warm his tyres and get over to the left at the exit of turn 15 before Car 27 would reach him. He said that he was using full throttle on the long straight and his telemetry confirmed this. He said that he had misjudged the closing speed on Car 27's approach (75kph).
The Driver explained that, as was his habit last year, he was placing significant reliance on the virtual mirror system. However, this incident had demonstrated to him that, in his view, the refresh rate of the virtual mirror is insufficient to give a reliable warning to the Driver of the significant closing speeds of the 2026 cars.
Nonetheless, he accepted that car 27 was unnecessarily impeded.
The Stewards The Stewards determined that the Driver of Car 81 unnecessarily impeded Car 27 and impose the usual penalty for such an infringement in a Free Practice session of a
warning. 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.