Doc 25 - Infringement - Car 63 - Failure to follow Race Director Instruction - Practice Start

Infringements/DecisionsNotices/Procedures

Document 25 - Infringement - Car 63 - Failure to follow Race Director Instruction - Practice Start

To: The Team Manager, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team From: The Stewards Date: 06 March 2026 Time: 20:30

Incident Details

  • No / Driver: 63 - George Russell
  • Competitor: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
  • Time of Incident: 16:36
  • Session: Practice 2
  • Fact: Car 63 performed a practice start outside the designated practice start area.

Infringement

  • Breach of Article 12.2.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code in combination with Item 14.1 of the Race Director's Competition Notes (Document 8).

Decision

  • Driver: Warning.

Reason for Decision

  1. Hearing and Evidence: The Stewards heard from Driver 63 (George Russell) and the team representative, and reviewed video evidence.
  2. Driver's Admission and Explanation: The driver admitted performing a practice start outside the designated area as defined in the Race Director's Competition Notes. He explained that due to sun haze, he could not clearly see the grid boxes and believed the correct location was where rubber marks were visible on the asphalt.
  3. Stewards' Findings:
    • The Stewards accepted that sighting the grid box was difficult due to light conditions, based on the Driver's onboard and CCTV footage.
    • However, the Driver was significantly forward of the designated location, ahead of the pit wall protection.
    • This incident occurred after the Race Director had already warned all teams to comply with his instructions regarding practice starts.
  4. Conclusion: The Stewards determined that the driver failed to follow the Race Director's instructions and imposed a warning, consistent with penalties for similar past breaches.

Reminder to Competitors

  • Compliance with the Race Director's instructions regarding the correct position for practice starts is crucial for the safe conduct of the Event.
  • Competitors have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, as per Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within applicable time limits.

Stewards' Authority

Decisions are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on relevant regulations, guidelines, and evidence.

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