Doc 6 - Race Director's Competition Notes

2026 United States Grand Prix - Document 6 Issued by: Rui Marques, FIA Formula 1 Race Director

Key Competition Notes & Procedures

1. General Instructions & Lapping

• Qualifying Maximum Time: Drivers exceeding the maximum time between the Second and First Safety Car lines may be deemed to be driving unnecessarily slowly.
• Lapping During the Race: The marshalling system provides a pre-warning at 3.0 seconds, and blue lights/flags are triggered at 1.2 seconds when a faster car approaches. Slower cars must yield at the first available opportunity.

2. Pit Lane & Practice Starts

• Fast Lane & Blending: Cars leaving garages must blend into the fast lane safely without impeding others. A car is considered "in the fast lane" when a tyre completely crosses the solid white line.
• Practice Starts: Permitted in the designated merging lane to the left of the fast lane during Free Practice and reconnaissance laps.

3. Safety Car & Track Limits

• Safety Car Procedures: Waved yellow flags and physical "SC" boards will not be used. Instead, official messages ("SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED", "SAFETY CAR LIGHTS OFF") and trackside light panels will guide competitors.
• Track Limits (Turn 20): Failing to negotiate Turn 20 during any LTCS may result in the invalidation of that lap time and the immediately following lap time.

4. Circuit Modifications & Testing

• Circuit Changes: Resurfacing from Turn 9 entry to Turn 11 entry, new TecPro barriers installed at Turns 1 and 6, and kerb height adjustments.
• Collective FP Tests: Low-grip condition tests ("Low Grip Conditions") will be conducted at the end of FP1 and FP2, involving throttle-lift checks and a slow-speed test through Turn 15 at approximately 35 km/h.