Sainz warned, Verstappen cleared over Hungary FP1 impeding
F1 · penalty · 2026-07-25
During the opening minutes of FP1 at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday 24 July, Max Verstappen encountered a slow-moving Williams of Carlos Sainz on the approach to Turn 12, forcing the Red Bull driver to abandon his lap. Both drivers were summoned to the stewards after the session under Appendix L, Chapter IV, Article 2(e) of the International Sporting Code. The stewards accepted Sainz's explanation that he had a radio disconnection and was aborting his lap, but still issued him an official warning for impeding. Verstappen, who had slowed significantly near Turn 12 immediately after passing Sainz, was cleared of any deliberate act and received no further action.