2026 British GP: Sainz faces rare penalty report

Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans reported Carlos Sainz was penalised after the 2026 British Grand Prix over a late Safety Car infringement.

Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans reported that Carlos Sainz received an unusual post-race penalty after the 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The outlets said the Williams driver was sanctioned after incorrectly unlapping himself under a late Safety Car, with RaceFans reporting a one-lap penalty for illegally overtaking the Safety Car.

Autosport and Motorsport.com reported the incident followed Max Verstappen’s lap-46 crash at Stowe, which left the final six laps under Safety Car conditions. Those reports said Sainz made the move during that neutralised finish.

The penalty was described by Autosport and Motorsport.com as unprecedented, while RaceFans called it highly unusual. Sainz was 15th in the 2026 drivers’ championship on six points, and the Spanish driver’s Formula 1 record stood at 241 starts, four wins, five poles and 29 podiums.