Doc 39 - Infringement - Car 55 - Failure to slow for yellow flags

2026 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX 24 - 26 September 2026 From The Stewards To The Team Manager, Atlassian Williams F1 Team Document 39 Date 25 September 2026 Time 15:31 The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (document 35) and heard from the driver and team representative, have considered the following matter and determine the following: No / Driver 55 - Carlos Sainz Competitor Atlassian Williams F1 Team Time 12:59 Session Free Practice 3 Fact Failure to slow for yellow flags Infringement Breach of Appendix H, Article 2.5.5 b) of the International Sporting Code Decision Driver: Reprimand (Driving). This is the driver’s 2nd reprimand of the season. Reason The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 55 (Carlos Sainz), team representative and reviewed video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence. A Single Yellow was displayed in Marshalling Sector 6 shortly before SAI entered the sector. SAI explained that, approaching Turn 4, he briefly noticed a light signal in his peripheral vision but was not certain that it was yellow. He therefore asked the Team by radio whether a yellow flag was being displayed. The onboard video also showed that a yellow warning light was flashing on SAI’s steering wheel, indicating the yellow sector. SAI explained that in the circumstances he had not been able to pay attention to this warning. Approaching Turn 4, SAI braked slightly earlier than on the reference lap, but subsequently applied less brake pressure. At the exit of Turn 4 he accelerated more moderately than on the reference lap. Overall, he lost approximately 0.10 seconds in the relevant sector. From the exit of Turn 4 SAI was able to see the green light marking the end of the yellow sector. SAI acknowledged that, having seen the green light, he should have understood that he was still travelling within a yellow sector. Nevertheless, on the straight approaching the green light he accelerated up to the limiter while still within the yellow sector. The Stewards considered the fact that the Single Yellow was displayed only shortly before SAI entered Marshalling Sector 6 as a mitigating circumstance. However, taking into account the visible yellow indication, the warning displayed on the steering wheel, the telemetry and, in particular, SAI’s acceleration while still within the yellow sector after the green light had become visible, the Stewards were not satisfied that SAI had sufficiently reduced speed and exercised the required caution for a Single Yellow. The Stewards The Stewards therefore determine that SAI failed to sufficiently reduce speed under the Single Yellow. The standard penalty under the Penalty Guidelines for such an infringement is a drop of 5 grid positions. However, the Stewards considered that there were mitigating circumstances, in particular the very short period between the Single Yellow being displayed and SAI entering the relevant marshalling sector. The Stewards also considered the penalties applied in comparable cases, where a Driving Reprimand has consistently been imposed in circumstances warranting mitigation from the standard penalty. The Stewards therefore considered a Driving Reprimand appropriate and consistent with those precedents. Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits. Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented. Gerd Ennser Loïc Bacquelaine Khatuna Julakidze Derek Warwick Danil Solomin