Source: Official Team Post via X
Verstappen Cleared by FIA, Russell Faces Massive Grid Penalty
Max Verstappen avoids a penalty for a yellow flag incident during Singapore qualifying, while George Russell is hit with a hefty grid drop. FIA addresses a Sprint Qualifying mishap affecting multiple teams.
The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix weekend began with a flurry of FIA decisions and team challenges. Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, found himself under scrutiny after overtaking Lewis Hamilton under yellow flags during the Singapore Sprint qualifying. However, after reviewing the situation, the FIA stewards decided that Verstappen had responded appropriately to the caution, which was triggered by Sergio Perez's incident with the barriers. As a result, no penalty was issued to Verstappen.
Meanwhile, George Russell's weekend took a turn for the worse with news of a 40-place grid penalty for the Singapore Grand Prix. After his frustrating DNF in Malaysia, Russell has had to change several engine components, including a fifth internal combustion engine and turbocharger, leading to this severe penalty. He will start at the back of the grid, despite beginning the Singapore Sprint from the front row.
Adding to the drama, the FIA acknowledged a "human error" during the Sprint Qualifying session that affected multiple teams. A glitch in the timing systems resulted in a power imbalance, leaving some cars without Overtake Mode while others had full power. The FIA stated that the error impacted the performance of several cars based on their lap timing and positioning.
Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton admitted to a strategic misstep in the Sprint Qualifying's final segment. Opting for a different approach, Hamilton found that his strategy did not yield the expected results, while Ferrari stuck to a more conventional plan.
In other news, Racing Bulls has yet to finalize its 2027 driver lineup. With Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, and Nikola Tsolov all vying for just two available seats, team principal Alan Permane indicated that a decision would be made soon, emphasizing the team's commitment to nurturing Red Bull's future talent.