RaceFansVerified19 days agoby Keith Collantine

Russell Edges Piastri by Hundredth of a Second in Final Test Debut; New FIA Start Procedure Takes Center Stage

George Russell claimed the top spot on the opening day of the final pre-season test, narrowly outpacing Oscar Piastri with a razor-thin margin of 0.01 seconds. The session marked the first opportunity for the grid to experience the FIA's newly revised race start procedure in competitive conditions.

2026 F1 seasonFormula 1f1 testingGeorge RussellOscar Piastri

The final test of the pre-season got underway with George Russell establishing himself as the pacesetter, though the Mercedes driver's advantage proved marginal. Oscar Piastri's strong showing kept the competition fierce, with just a hundredth of a second separating the pair at the conclusion of the opening day's running.

Beyond the battle for fastest lap times, the session served an important technical purpose as teams and drivers familiarized themselves with the FIA's overhauled race start procedure. The new system, implemented for the season ahead, received its first real-world evaluation as pilots worked through the revised processes ahead of competitive action.

Russell's performance on day one demonstrated Mercedes' readiness heading into the final preparations, while Piastri's competitive lap time underscored the competitive nature of the field as teams fine-tune their machinery and race procedures during this crucial testing window.

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Full Regulation Text

Sporting Regulations

Article 48.1

FIA Source

Race Start Procedure

Chapter: Chapter IV - The Race

In Simple Terms

The race start follows a strict countdown. At the one-minute signal, all engines must start and team staff must leave. If a car has problems after the 15-second signal, the driver raises their arm and the car gets pushed to the pit lane while others proceed. This ensures safety and fairness in race starts.

Engines must start at one-minute signal
Team personnel leave grid by 15-second signal
Drivers with problems raise arm for assistance
Stricken cars pushed to pit lane

Official FIA Text

When the one minute signal is shown, engines should be started and all team personnel must leave the grid by the time the 15 second signal is shown. If any driver needs assistance after the 15 second signal he must raise his arm and, when the remainder of the cars able to do so have left the grid, marshals will be instructed to push the car into the pit lane.

formation lapaborted startgrid penaltiesrace startgridformationcountdownone minute

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B5.5.1

FIA Source

Start Announcement Signals

Chapter: B5

In Simple Terms

Before a race starts, F1 officials give drivers warning signals at set intervals—10 minutes, 5 minutes, 3 minutes, 1 minute, and 15 seconds before the formation lap begins. Each signal includes both a visual display and an audible (sound) warning so drivers know the race is about to start.

Five countdown signals are given before the formation lap starts
Signals occur at 10, 5, 3, 1 minutes and 15 seconds before the start
Each signal includes both a visual display and an audible warning sound
These announcements help drivers prepare for the race start

Official FIA Text

The approach of the start of a TTCS will be announced by signals shown ten (10) minutes, five (5) minutes, three (3) minutes, one (1) minute and fifteen (15) seconds before the start of the formation lap, each of which will be accompanied by an audible warning.

start signalsformation lapcountdownaudible warningrace start procedure

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B5.7.2

FIA Source

Standing Start Procedure with Red Lights

Chapter: B5

In Simple Terms

After the formation lap, drivers line up on the grid with their engines running. The race starts when five red lights on the gantry turn on one after another (one per second), then all suddenly turn off—that's the signal to go!

Cars must stop within their designated grid positions with engines running
Start is signaled by five red lights that extinguish simultaneously
Each red light appears at one-second intervals
The starter decides when the fifth light goes out (no fixed timing)

Official FIA Text

When Cars return to grid at end of formation lap(s), they must stop within starting grid positions keeping engines running. Standing start signalled by five red lights on start gantry, extinguishing all lights signals start. Time interval between each light is one second; interval between fifth light and extinction at starter's discretion.

standing startred lightsgrid positionformation lapstart procedure

2026 Season Regulations