Sainz handed unusual one-lap penalty after Safety Car confusion at Silverstone

Carlos Sainz was given an unusual one-lap penalty after the British Grand Prix following a complicated Safety Car incident at Silverstone.

During a late Safety Car period, Sainz joined several drivers in unlapping themselves after a message from race control. However, stewards later ruled that he was not actually eligible to do so at that exact moment. The confusion came from the timing of his pit stop and the specific layout of the Silverstone pit lane, which temporarily changed his classification when he crossed key timing lines.

After rejoining the track, he was once again considered a lapped car, adding to the complexity of the situation.

Williams admitted they misread the rules and the race control message, resulting in two errors that led to an incorrect unlapping.

Stewards acknowledged the unusual circumstances but concluded that Sainz still gained an advantage. As a result, they imposed a one-lap penalty, which is an available sanction under FIA regulations and rarely used in this form. Sainz originally finished 12th, but after the penalty he dropped to 17th place.

The Madrid-born driver was the only Williams driver to finish the race, as Alex Albon retired during the same Safety Car phase.

Updated 2026 British Grand Prix race results:

1st – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
2nd – George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.427
3rd – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.772
4th – Lando Norris (McLaren) – +1.149
5th – Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing) – +1.598
6th – Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – +2.023
7th – Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – +2.214
8th – Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – +2.413
9th – Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +3.229
10th – Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +3.445
11th – Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +4.014
12th – Oliver Bearman (Haas F1 Team) – +5.245
13th – Esteban Ocon (Haas F1 Team) – +5.512
14th – Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – +7.403
15th – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +8.005
16th – Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – +8.162
17th – Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +1 Lap
18th – Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +1 Lap
19th – Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +1 Lap

20th – Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – DNF
21st – Alexander Albon (Williams) – DNF
22nd – Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – DNF