Infringement Car 18 Changes Made During Parc Ferme
United States Grand Prix · 2026 · 25 October 2026 · Doc 48
- Driver
- Lance Stroll
- Team
- Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team
- Session
- Qualifying
2026 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
23 - 25 October 2026
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team Document 48 Date 25 October 2026 Time 12:30
The Stewards, having received a report from the Technical Delegate (document 47), have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 18 - Lance Stroll Competitor Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team Time 11:23 Session Qualifying Fact The setup of the suspension has been changed while under parc fermé. The team continued to work on the car beyond the covers off time. The following Power Unit elements have been used: 6th Engine (ICE) 7th Turbocharger (TC) 8th Energy Store (ES) 7th Control Electronics Unit (PU-CE) 9th Power Unit Ancillary Component (PU-ANC) All Power Unit elements were replaced without the approval of the FIA Technical Delegate during parc fermé. Infringement Breaches of Article B8.2.2 (read in conjunction with B8.2.3), B3.4.3a, B3.4.3b, B3.5.3 and B3.5.4 of the FIA F1 Regulations. Decision Required to start the Race from the pit lane. Reason The use of each additional element in this case carries a 5 grid place penalty, therefore there is an accumulation of 25 places. However, as the parts were replaced under parc fermé conditions without the approval of the Technical Delegate a pit lane start is mandated in accordance with Article B3.5.3a of the FIA F1 Regulations. Furthermore, Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team continued to work on Car 18 beyond 2 hours of the end of Qualifying and within 5 hours of the scheduled start of the formation lap of the Race. This is not in accordance with Articles B3.4.3a and B3.4.3b and is deemed to represent a breach of Article B3.5.3 requiring a pit lane start in accordance with Article B3.5.3a of the FIA F1 Regulations. Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team also changed the setup of Car 18 under parc fermé before the start of the Race without the approval of the Technical Delegate. This is not accordance with Article B3.5.4 of the FIA F1 Regulations and, because the change of setup is not in accordance with Article B3.5.3 of the FIA F1 Regulations, for this additional reason Car 18 is required to start the Race from pit lane as per Article B3.5.3a of the FIA F1 Regulations.
The Stewards 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.