Infringement Car 63 Leaving The Track And Gaining An Advantage
United States Grand Prix · 2026 · 25 October 2026 · Doc 53
- Driver
- George Russell
- Team
- Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
- Session
- Race
2026 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
23 - 25 October 2026
From The Stewards
To The Team Manager,
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Document 53 Date 25 October 2026 Time 16:23
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
No / Driver 63 - George Russell Competitor Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Time 15:04
Session Race
Fact Car 63 left the track and repoined gaining a lasting advantage, in Turn 12 Infringement Breach of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2 c) of the FIA International Sporting Code. Decision 5 second time penalty. Reason The Stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, and in-car video evidence, plus submissions from the teams of Cars 63 and 81 via the FIA Evidence Channel. The driver of Car 63 was defending position from Car 81, into Turn 12 and left the track, then proceeded to rejoin in front of Car 81, prior to Turn 13. He retained that position. Accordingly he is determined by the Stewards to have left the track, rejoined it and gained a lasting advantage. The normal penalty for this is a 10 second penalty, however the Stewards considered that the driver of Car 63 had previously been pressuring Car 6 and that put Car 81 into an attacking position (and therefore Car 63 into a defending position). Further, this was a first lap incident and in our determination, the penalty should be mitigated to 5 seconds. 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.