Doc 60 - Decision - Qualifying SC2-SC1 Times
Infringements/Decisions
2026 Chinese Grand Prix - Stewards Decision (Document 60)
Session: Qualifying
Fact: The following F1 cars exceeded the maximum time limit of 1:56.0 between Safety Car lines 2 and 1.
| No | Car | Driver | Competitor | Time of Day | Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Max Verstappen | Oracle Red Bull Racing | 15:07:01 | L4 (Q1) |
| 2 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 15:08:13 | L5 (Q1) |
| 3 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 15:08:31 | L5 (Q1) |
| 4 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | TGR Haas F1 Team | 15:16:11 | L7 (Q1) |
| 5 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | TGR Haas F1 Team | 15:16:21 | L7 (Q1) |
| 6 | 41 | Arvid Lindblad | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 15:16:35 | L8 (Q1) |
| 7 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 15:16:40 | L8 (Q1) |
| 8 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 15:30:32 | L7 (Q2) |
| 9 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 15:50:51 | L11 (Q3) |
Infringement: Alleged breach of Article B1.8.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations and Article 12.2.1.i of the International Sporting Code.
Decision: No further action.
Reasons:
- The Stewards reviewed marshalling, timing, on-board, and CCTV data.
- Most drivers maintained appropriate speeds for the majority of the lap.
- Drivers slowed down significantly specifically to avoid impeding others and to give them a clear track.
- Car 12 (Antonelli) and Car 63 (Russell) also experienced technical issues during their respective laps.
- The Stewards concluded that no driver drove "unnecessarily slowly" and took appropriate steps to ensure safety.