Doc 43 - Decision - Qualifying SC2-SC1 Times
2026 BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND PRIX
From: The Stewards To: All Officials, All Teams Document: 43 Date: 13 June 2026 Time: 17:35
Decision - Qualifying SC2-SC1 Times
The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, have considered the following matter and determine the following:
- Session: Qualifying
- Fact: The F1 cars below exceeded the 1:29.0 time limit between the Safety Car lines (SC2 to SC1).
Drivers Involved:
| No. | Car | Driver | Competitor | Time of Day | Lap Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 16:08:40 | L5 (Q1) |
| 2 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 16:08:47 | L5 (Q1) |
| 3 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | 16:09:05 | L2 (Q1) |
| 4 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | TGR Haas F1 Team | 16:09:19 | L5 (Q1) |
| 5 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac Formula 1 Team | 16:09:24 | L5 (Q1) |
| 6 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 16:09:35 | L5 (Q1) |
| 7 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 16:10:50 | L4 (Q1) |
| 8 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 16:15:54 | L7 (Q1) |
| 9 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 16:16:02 | L5 (Q1) |
| 10 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 16:32:30 | L10 (Q2) |
- Infringement: Alleged breach of Article B1.8.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations and Article 12.2.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code (non-compliance with the Race Director’s Competition Notes, item 1, document 9).
- Decision: No further action.
Reasons: The Stewards thoroughly reviewed Marshalling/Positioning data, timing data, on-board cameras and CCTV cameras.
All drivers concerned stayed at or above speeds necessary to stay below 1:29.0 around the vast majority of the circuit. However, in all cases the Stewards determined that the drivers took appropriate actions to not impede other drivers, and in all cases, they slowed down significantly to allow other drivers to pass while giving those drivers a clear track.
The Stewards therefore determine that all drivers concerned did not drive "unnecessarily slowly", and that they were above the maximum time because they took appropriate steps, and we therefore take no further action.
- Stewards: Felix Holter, Natalie Corsmit, Kipras Aleknavičius, Derek Warwick, David Domingo