€30,000 fine for Audi Revolut F1 Team over unsafe pit stop

Doc 58 - Infringement - Car 27 - Unsafe release

2026 Bahrain Grand Prix

Published

Summary

Audi Revolut F1 Team fined €30,000 (€20,000 suspended) for an unsafe situation caused by a premature green light during Nico Hülkenberg's pit stop.

Explanation

The stewards investigated an incident during Hülkenberg's pit stop where the automated release system displayed a green light while a mechanic was still in front of the car. Although the car was not deemed to have been released under Article B1.6.2, as the rear axle had not passed the front axle position, the premature green signal created an unsafe situation. The team's manual backup procedure correctly reverted the signal to red. The competitor was fined €30,000, with €20,000 suspended for 12 months, for breaching Article 12.2.1.h of the ISC.

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FIA International Sporting Code - Article 12.2.1h
12.2.1.h Any unsafe act or failure to take reasonable measures, thus resulting in an unsafe situation.
Open regulation PDF Pages 53–55 highlighted
FIA F1 Regulations - Article B1.6.2
B1.6.2 Pit Lane Safety In all of the cases detailed in this article, an F1 Car will be deemed to have been released from the Competitors’ Designated Garage Area either when it has been driven out of its Designated Garage Area when leaving from the garage or after the rear axle has passed the position occupied by the front axle when it was stationary in it has completely cleared its pit stop position following a pit stop. Competitors must provide a means of clearly establishing, when being viewed from both above and in the front of the F1 Car, when an F1 Car was released. a. F1 Cars must not be released from a garage or pit stop position in any way that could endanger Pit Lane personnel or another driver, or that is likely to cause damage to another car. b. F1 Cars must not be released from a garage or pit stop position in an unsafe condition. i. If an F1 Car is deemed to have been released in an unsafe condition during any LTCS, the stewards may drop the driver such number of grid positions as they consider appropriate. Such penalty will be applied to the Race unless the infringement has been committed during the sprint qualifying session, in which case the penalty will be applied to the sprint session. ii. If an F1 Car is deemed to have been released in an unsafe condition during a TTCS, a Stop- and-Go Penalty will be imposed on the driver concerned. However, if the driver retires from the TTCS as a result of the F1 Car being released in an unsafe condition a fine may be imposed upon the Competitor. iii. An additional penalty will be imposed on any driver who, in the opinion of the stewards, continues to drive an F1 Car knowing it to have been released in an unsafe condition. c. F1 Team personnel are only allowed in the Pit Lane immediately before they are required to work on an F1 Car and must withdraw as soon as the work is complete. 2026 Form ula 1: Sporting Regulations 27 February 2026 B 9 B 0 SECTION B: SPORTING REGULATIONS d. All team personnel carrying out any work on an F1 Car in the Pit Lane when the F1 Car is in its pit stop position for the purpose of adjusting or replacing components, or serving a penalty during the qualifying session, the sprint qualifying session or a TTCS, must be wearing helmets which meet or exceed the requirements of ECE 22.05 – European motorcycle road helmet, DOT – USA motorcycle road helmet or JIS T8133-2015, class 2 – JPN protective helmets for automobile users. The use of appropriate eye protection is compulsory. e. Unless authorised by the FIA no one under the age of 16 is permitted in the Pit Lane at the following times: i. The period commencing fifteen (15) minutes prior to and ending five (5) minutes after every free practice session, the qualifying session, and the sprint qualifying session. ii. The period commencing fifteen (15) minutes before the pit exit is opened to allow F1 Cars to cover reconnaissance laps and the time when the last F1 Car enters the parc fermé after the TTCS has ended. B1.6.3 Driving in the Pit Entry Road, Pit Lane And Pit Exit Road
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