No further action for Sainz over double yellow flag incident

Doc 43 - Decision - Car 55 - Alleged failure to slow for double yellow flags

2026 Belgian Grand Prix

Published

Summary

The Stewards determined no further action for Carlos Sainz after investigating an alleged failure to slow for double yellow flags during Free Practice 3.

Explanation

The Stewards reviewed evidence including data, video, and telemetry. Both Car 55 (Sainz) and Car 3 (Verstappen) braked approximately 80m before the double yellow sector triggered by Car 44's crash. Sainz had to take evasive action when Verstappen braked more heavily than expected, causing Sainz to lock his brakes but not overtake. The Stewards found Sainz had reduced speed significantly before and throughout the sector, therefore no infringement occurred.

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FIA International Sporting Code - Appendix H - Article 2.5.5b
b) Yellow flag This is a signal of danger and should be shown to drivers in two ways with the following meanings: - Single waved: Reduce your speed, do not overtake, and be prepared to change direction. There is a hazard beside or partly on the track. It must be evident that a driver has reduced speed; this means a driver is expected to have braked earlier and/or noticeably reduced speed in that sector. - Double waved: Reduce your speed significantly, do not overtake, and be prepared to change direction or stop. There is a hazard wholly or partly blocking the track and/or marshals working on or beside the track. During free practice and qualifying, it must be evident that a driver has not attempted to set a meaningful lap time; this means the driver should abandon the lap (this does not mean he has to pit as the track could well be clear the following lap). Yellow flags should normally be shown only at the marshal post immediately preceding the hazard. In some cases, however, the Clerk of the Course may order them to be shown at more than one marshal post preceding an incident. Overtaking is not permitted between the first yellow flag and the green flag displayed after the incident. Yellow flags should not be shown in the pit lane unless there is an incident of which the driver should be made aware. The Clerk of the Course or Race Director may impose a speed limit on the full course or any section of the track when double yellow flags are displayed during practice, qualifying practice or races. • When a single speed limit is imposed on the full course, this will be indicated with a single yellow flag and a board indicating FCY (meaning “Full Course Yellow”) or a purple flag with a white circle containing the number 60 known as “Code 60”. If appropriate, double waved yellow flags will continue to be displayed at the post prior to the incident. 19 ANNEXE H APPENDIX H • At races where a variable speed limit may be imposed on the full course, this will be indicated with a single yellow flag and a board indicating VSC (meaning “Virtual Safety Car”.) If appropriate, double waved yellow flags will continue to be displayed at the post prior to the incident. • In races where a speed limit may be imposed on a section of the track, the beginning and end of the sections will be clearly marked by the side of the track, with a double yellow flag and a board indicating SLOW (meaning “slow down”). They will be displayed at each marshal post in the section. A single waved yellow flag will be displayed at the post prior to that. In every case, the end of the imposition of the speed limit will be indicated by a green flag at the next marshal post, or at each marshal post where appropriate. The sporting regulations for each race or championship may provide for the enforcement of these requirements. Note: If a yellow flag is displayed adjacent to the grid during the start procedure indicating to drivers that there is a hazard ahead on the grid, there will be no green flag at the following marshal post and overtaking is permitted.
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