FIA Delivers Split Verdict After Unusual Lawson-Hulkenberg Case

Liam Lawson and Nico Hulkenberg received different sanctions from FIA stewards following what officials described as an "unusual incident" during the starting procedure at the Canadian Grand Prix. While both drivers were issued reprimands, Hulkenberg also received a suspended stop-and-go penalty for the remainder of the season.

The incident occurred before the race start during an additional formation lap. According to the stewards' report, Hulkenberg, driving for Audi, moved away from his grid position slower than reasonably expected. This allowed Lawson's Racing Bulls car to move ahead, creating an irregular order between the two drivers.

By the time the pair crossed the first Safety Car line (SC1), they were no longer in their correct starting order. Under Formula 1 regulations, a driver who has not resumed the correct position by SC1 should enter the pit lane and start the race from there. However, the circumstances surrounding this case prompted the stewards to take a more nuanced approach.

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Following an investigation involving positioning data, video footage, timing information and onboard camera evidence, the FIA concluded that Hulkenberg had indeed been unusually slow leaving the grid. At the same time, Lawson was judged to have moved away earlier than expected and should have waited longer before starting the formation lap.

Crucially, both drivers managed to return to their correct grid positions before the race began. The incident did not require the start procedure to be delayed, did not affect the grid formation and had no measurable impact on the competition itself.

The stewards acknowledged that the situation did not fit a typical starting procedure infringement. Hulkenberg argued that he was unable to safely overtake Lawson during the formation lap to regain position, while Lawson's early movement contributed to the unusual sequence of events.

Technically, the regulations called for Hulkenberg to receive a mandatory stop-and-go penalty because he had not resumed the correct order by SC1. However, the stewards determined that applying the full penalty would have been disproportionate given the limited consequences of the infringement.

"Both cars started the race from the correct positions. The regulations stipulate a mandatory Stop and Go Penalty for a car that does not enter the Pit Lane if it has failed to resume its correct position by SC1. However, the Stewards consider this penalty to be extremely harsh and not proportionate to a breach that was relatively minor in effect and impact," the FIA ruling stated.

As a result, Lawson received only a reprimand. Hulkenberg was also reprimanded but was handed a suspended stop-and-go penalty that will remain in place for the rest of the 2026 season. The penalty will only be activated if he commits a similar offence before the end of the championship.

The decision highlights the discretion available to FIA stewards when handling rare situations that fall outside standard competitive scenarios. Although the incident had no impact on the final result in Montreal, it became one of the most unusual regulatory cases of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.