Summary
Charles Leclerc received a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage while overtaking in Turn 4.
Explanation
The stewards determined that Car 16 (Charles Leclerc) left the track and gained a lasting advantage by completing an overtake off track at Turn 4. Both cars entered the corner with excessive speed, but Car 16 was not entitled to claim the corner. The standard penalty of 10 seconds was reduced to 5 seconds because Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton) was also off track on the inside and the incident occurred early on the first lap.
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Referenced regulations
FIA F1 Regulations - Article B1.8.6
B1.8.6 Drivers must make every reasonable e‘ort to use the track at all times and may not leave the track without a justifiable reason. Drivers will be judged to have left the track if no part of the F1 Car remains in contact with it and, for the avoidance of doubt, any white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not. Should an F1 Car leave the track the driver may re-join, however, this may only be done when it is safe to do so and without gaining any lasting advantage. At the absolute discretion of the Race Director a driver may be given the opportunity to give back the whole of any advantage they gained by leaving the track. 2026 Form ula 1: Sporting Regulations 27 February 2026 B 0 SECTION B: SPORTING REGULATIONS
B1.8.7 Any driver whose car has significant and obvious damage to a structural component which results
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