From Motorsport · Rahaan Mazumder · · 1m 10s
Kimi Antonelli avoids Singapore GP penalty
Kimi Antonelli escaped Singapore GP track limits penalty despite four violations due to out-lap technicality.
In brief
Kimi Antonelli escaped Singapore GP track limits penalty despite four violations due to out-lap technicality. Kimi Antonelli avoided a five-second penalty after four track limit violations because his fourth infraction occurred during an out-lap, not a competitive lap. Originally reported by Motorsport.
Singapore GP penalty threat
Championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli accumulated four track limit violations during the 62-lap Singapore Grand Prix.
“four separate track limit violations during the 62-lap race”
Penalty rules triggered
Under FIA guidelines, four track limit violations should trigger a five-second time penalty that would have dropped Antonelli from third place.
“reaching four strikes in a grand prix is supposed to trigger an automatic five-second time penalty”
Fourth violation timing
Antonelli's fourth violation occurred at Turn 7 during an out-lap after a pitstop, not a competitive flying lap.
“strike four: turn 7 at 21h09m33s (lap time: out-lap)”
Out-lap technicality
The FIA rules state that out-laps have no competitive lap times, so the violation did not count toward a penalty.
“the only mandate issued in document 88 was the deletion of the lap times shown”
Missing warning flag
Antonelli never received the black-and-white warning flag for his third violation, preventing a penalty escalation.
“the formal warning structure requires race control to display a black-and-white flag before a penalty can be assigned”
Penalty outcome
Antonelli retained his third-place finish with a 102-point championship lead heading into the United States Grand Prix.
“the young mercedes driver heads to austin with his 102-point championship cushion intact”
Ongoing scrutiny
Antonelli's track limit compliance has been a challenge throughout the 2026 season, with multiple laps compromised by aggressive corner entries.
“track limit compliance has been an ongoing struggle for the italian across the 2026 season”
At a glance
Kimi Antonelli avoided a five-second penalty after four track limit violations because his fourth infraction occurred during an out-lap, not a competitive lap.
