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Pre-race chaos wipes out McLaren’s Chinese GP before lights out!

The Chinese Grand Prix was thrown into chaos before a single light turned green on Sunday, as a... The post Pre-race chaos wipes out McLaren’s Chinese GP before lights out! appeared first on F1i.com.

Pre-race chaos wipes out McLaren’s Chinese GP before lights out!
F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMcLaren

<p>The Chinese Grand Prix was thrown into chaos before a single light turned green on Sunday, as a...</p> <p>The post <a href="https://f1i.com/news/561158-pre-race-chaos-wipes-out-mclarens-chinese-gp-before-lights-out.html">Pre-race chaos wipes out McLaren’s Chinese GP before lights out!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://f1i.com">F1i.com</a>.</p>

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sporting Regulations

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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 48.12

FIA Source

Standing Start Lights Sequence

Chapter: Chapter IV - The Race

In Simple Terms

F1 uses a five-light system for starts. After the formation lap, cars line up on the grid and the pit exit closes. Five red lights come on one at a time (one second apart), then all go out simultaneously - that's the start signal. This system prevents jump starts and ensures fair races.

  • Formation lap led by pole position car
  • Pit exit closes when cars take grid positions
  • Five red lights illuminate one second apart
  • Start signal: all red lights go out at once
Official FIA Text

When the green lights are illuminated, the cars will begin the formation lap with the pole position driver leading. When the leading car returns to the grid all the cars must take up their grid positions, the pit exit lights will turn red and no cars may enter the track from the pit lane. Once the last car has taken up its grid position, the five red lights will be switched on one by one at one second intervals. The start will be signalled by the red lights being extinguished.

jump startfalse start penaltyrace startstart lightsred lightsformation lappole positionstanding start
2026 Season Regulations