Ten second penalty for Hülkenberg for leaving the track and gaining an advantage

Doc 71 - Infringement - Car 27 - Leaving the track and gaining an advantage

2026 São Paulo Grand Prix

Published

Summary

Hülkenberg was given a 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage while overtaking Colapinto at Turn 1.

Explanation

The stewards reviewed in-car video evidence and determined that Car 27 (Hülkenberg) left the track while attempting to overtake Car 43 (Colapinto) at Turn 1. As Car 43 was ahead at the apex, it had the right to the corner. Hülkenberg gained a lasting advantage by rejoining ahead of Colapinto, resulting in a 10-second time penalty.

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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
Open regulation PDF Pages 12–13 highlighted
FIA International Sporting Code - Appendix L - Chapter IV - Article 2c
c) Drivers must use the track at all times and may not leave the track without a justifiable reason. For the avoidance of doubt, the white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not. Any part of a kerb which is contained between the white lines is considered as track for the purpose of this article. Should a car leave the track for any reason, the driver may rejoin. However, this may only be done when it is safe to do so and without gaining any lasting advantage. A driver will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with the track. A driver may be reported to the Stewards should they perform any act which results in debris being brought onto the track.
Open regulation PDF Pages 55–56 highlighted
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