Carlos Sainz Given Penalty Lap After British GP

Carlos Sainz has been handed a one-lap penalty after being found guilty of an infringement at the end of the British GP 2026 at Silverstone.

A Williams representative was summoned to the stewards after the race over a potential safety car procedure breach. The case centred on unlapping behind the safety car when Sainz was deemed not entitled to do so.

Sainz finished 12th and was one of several drivers who unlapped themselves after Race Control displayed the message allowing lapped cars to overtake. However, the specific Silverstone track and pit lane layout meant Sainz’s status changed under the relevant regulatory reference point.

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According to the stewards, although Car 55 was lapped at Safety Car Line 1 when entering the pit lane, Silverstone’s configuration meant it had temporarily unlapped itself by the time it crossed the line at the end of the lap in question. As a result, Sainz was not among the cars entitled to overtake the safety car when the “LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE” message was displayed.

“Consequently, Car 55 was not a lapped car for the purposes of Article B5.13.4 c) and was therefore not entitled to overtake the Safety Car when the ‘LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE’ message was displayed. However, Car 55 unlapped itself once the message was displayed by Race Control.”

The stewards also noted that after completing its pit stop, Sainz once again became a lapped car when he rejoined the track. Given the unusual track layout at Silverstone, the stewards accepted that the sequence of events may have contributed to confusion within the team.

“The team representative acknowledged that the team nevertheless made two errors: firstly, by failing to recognise that Car 55 was not a lapped car at the relevant reference point under Article B5.13.4 c), and secondly, by failing to note that Car 55 was not included in the Race Control message identifying the cars permitted to overtake the Safety Car.”

“The team representative accepted that they inadvertently gained a lap when they were not entitled to do so.”

In determining the sanction, the stewards referred to Article 12.4.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code and considered a penalty lap to be available and the most appropriate punishment for this case. The decision adds an administrative consequence for Williams after Sainz was its only finisher, with Alex Albon retiring during the late safety car period.