Doc 41 - Decision - Qualifying SC2-SC1 Times
2026 United States Grand Prix - Document 41
Session: Qualifying
Decision: No further action.
Fact
The F1 cars below exceeded the 1:55.0 time limit between the Safety Car lines.
| No. | Car | Driver | Competitor | Time of Day | Lap Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | TGR Haas F1 Team | 16:06:38 | L4 (Q1) |
| 2 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | 16:08:20 | L4 (Q1) |
| 3 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 16:08:47 | L4 (Q1) |
| 4 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 16:08:54 | L4 (Q1) |
| 5 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 16:10:16 | L4 (Q1) |
| 6 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | 16:38:41 | L13 (Q2) |
| 7 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 16:38:46 | L11 (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 27).
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 1:55.0 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.