Doc 69 - Infringement - Car 6 - Failing to follow Race Directors Instructions - Practice Start

Document 69: Infringement - Car 6 - Practice Start Violation

Event: 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Date: 26 September 2026 Time: 19:53

Reason

The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 6 (Isack Hadjar), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence.

• During the reconnaissance laps, Isack Hadjar approached the Pit Exit where several cars were ahead of him and did not ultimately perform a practice start.
• Paragraph 13.6 of the Race Director’s Competition Notes requires a car not wishing to perform a practice start to cross the white line separating the Pit Exit Road from the track at the earliest opportunity and join the normal racing line.
• Instead, Isack Hadjar remained within the Pit Exit Road and passed to the right of the cars ahead before joining the track, failing to follow instructions.

Mitigating Circumstances

The Stewards considered that there were mitigating circumstances. Isack Hadjar had initially intended to perform a practice start himself, but had to abort that attempt quite late and restart. This sequence contributed to the driver being distracted.

While the driver remains responsible, the Stewards considered these circumstances sufficient to mitigate the penalty, issuing a Warning rather than a Driving Reprimand.