Summary
Stewards grant Max Verstappen permission to start the race despite failing to set a qualifying time within 107% of the fastest Q1 time.
Explanation
The Stewards granted Max Verstappen (car 3) permission to start the 2026 Australian Grand Prix despite failing to set a qualifying time within 107% of the fastest Q1 time, citing Article B2.4.3b of the FIA F1 Sporting Regulations which allows exceptions if satisfactory practice times were set. The car will be placed on the grid per Article B2.5.4. No penalty was imposed, but the decision is subject to appeal under standard procedures.
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Referenced regulations
FIA F1 Regulations - Article B2.4.3b
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Pages 22–23 highlighted
FIA F1 Regulations - Article B2.5.4
B2.5.4 Grid for the Race Session a. The grid for the Race will be formed in accordance with the results of the Qualifying (Article
B2.4.2), the Qualifying classification process (Article B2.4.3) and the procedure defined in this
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Pages 23 highlighted
Related FIA decisions
Other documents citing the same regulations
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