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Carlos Sainz Hit with Rare One-Lap Penalty
FIA stewards said Williams made two errors and that the penalty lap was the most appropriate punishment under the sporting code.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz received an unprecedented penalty lap after incorrectly unlapping himself under Safety Car conditions during Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Silverstone's unique pit lane layout caused confusion, leading Williams to believe Sainz could unlap himself despite not being included in the 'LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE' message.
The Stewards invoked Article 12.4.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code, demoting Sainz from P12 to P17 in the final classification after he inadvertently gained a lap without permission.
This ruling marks the first time a driver has received a penalty lap since Ricardo Zunino was penalized for corner cutting at the 1981 Argentine Grand Prix, establishing historic precedent.
Although The FIA later described a 'Safety Car In This Lap' message as a software error, The Stewards maintained the penalty, noting the team failed to recognize Sainz was not a lapped car.
At the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, Williams' Spanish driver Carlos Sainz received an unusual penalty, and outrage erupted over the sanction given to Kimi Antonelli.