Doc 61 - Infringement - Car 23 - Causing a Collision with Car 5

🏎️ Decision - Car 23 (Alexander Albon)

• From: The Stewards
• To: The Team Manager, Atlassian Williams F1 Team
• Date: 10 October 2026
• Session: Sprint (Turn 16)
• Fact: Car 23 collided with Car 5 in Turn 16.
• Infringement: Breach of Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2 d) of the International Sporting Code.
• Decision: No Penalty is applied.

Reasoning:

• The Stewards reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, and in-car video evidence, hearing from the drivers of Car 5 (Gabriel Bortoleto), Car 23 (Alexander Albon), and Car 77 (Valtteri Bottas).
• When preparing for the re-start at the end of a Safety Car period, Car 23 collided with the rear of Car 5, and Car 77 subsequently collided with the rear of Car 23.
• The collisions were a consequence of a concertina effect created by cars ahead travelling at inconsistent speeds.
• However, the collision could have been avoided had Car 23 left more space, particularly given the damp conditions.
• Since Car 23 retired from the Sprint as a consequence of the collision, the Stewards determined not to apply a 5-second time penalty (which would not have converted into a grid penalty anyway).