Doc 58 - Infringement - Car 27 - Unsafe release

2026 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IN MALAYSIA 02 - 04 October 2026 From The Stewards To The Team Manager, Audi Revolut F1 Team Document 58 Date 04 October 2026 Time 21:10 The Stewards, having received a report from the Race Director, summoned (document 51) and heard from the team representative, have considered the following matter and determine the following: No / Driver 27 - Nico Hulkenberg Competitor Audi Revolut F1 Team Time 17:35 Session Race Fact Unsafe act during the pit stop resulting in an unsafe situation. Infringement Breach of Article 12.2.1.h of the FIA International Sporting Code. Decision The competitor (Audi Revolut F1 Team) is fined €30,000 of which €20,000 is suspended for 12 months on condition that the Competitor does not commit a similar infringement during its pitstops in the meantime. Reason The Stewards heard from the team representative and reviewed video and in-car video evidence. During the pit stop of Car 27 (HUL), the automated release system initially displayed a green light after all four wheel guns had been removed from the wheel nuts and the respective mechanics had activated the release system. However, a mechanic was still in front of the car near the left-front wheel after having adjusted the front wing. The Team explained that its release procedure incorporates an additional manual safety check by a controller. When the responsible team member observed that the mechanic was still in front of the left-front wheel, the release signal was immediately changed back to red. HUL initially began to move away from the pit stop position in response to the green light. However, he immediately recognised that the light went back to red as the mechanic was still in front of the car and reacted promptly by stopping the car before it had fully left the pit stop position. The Stewards considered whether the initial green signal itself constituted an unsafe release. Article B1.6.2 defines when a car is deemed to have been released from its Designated Pit Stop Position. The relevant point is when the rear axle has passed the position previously occupied by the front axle while the car was stationary in its Designated Pit Stop Position. Accordingly, although the initial green signal was given prematurely and created an unsafe situation, the car was not “released” within the meaning of Article B1.6.2 while that situation existed. The Stewards therefore determine that no unsafe release The Stewards occurred. In this case, although the initial green signal was given prematurely, the Team's backup safety procedure operated as intended and the signal was returned to red before the car had been released from its pit stop position. Nevertheless, the automatic premature green signal created an unsafe situation. While the Stewards determine that the circumstances did not constitute an unsafe release, the premature green signal nevertheless created an unsafe situation involving a team mechanic. The Stewards therefore impose a fine of €30,000 on the Competitor, of which €20,000 is suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season, subject to there being no further similar infringement. The substantial suspended element is intended to encourage the Competitor to review and, where necessary, improve its release procedures so as to prevent a recurrence of such an unsafe situation. 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 Mathieu Remmerie Pedro Lamy Mazen Al Hilli