Article B1.9.7
Abandonment of Car - Risk and Damage Conditions
Sporting Regulations
Article B1.9.7
Abandonment of Car - Risk and Damage Conditions
Chapter: B1
In Simple Terms
If a driver's car has a dangerous component or serious damage that would cause problems getting back to the pits, they must stop immediately. The Race Director can also force a driver to stop if the car has major structural damage that makes it unsafe to continue.
- Drivers must abandon their car if it poses an immediate risk to themselves or other competitors
- A car with significant failure that can't safely return to the pit lane without blocking other cars must be stopped
- The Race Director has authority to order a driver to leave the track if structural damage is severe
- The key is safety - either to the driver/others or to the race flow
Official FIA Text
A driver whose car has a component in condition presenting immediate risk to driver or others, or has significant failure meaning it cannot reasonably return to Pit Lane without impeding competitors, must leave track as soon as safe. Race Director may instruct car to leave track if deemed to have significant structural damage or failure.
car abandonmentsafety riskstructural damagerace director decisionpit lane
2026 Season Regulations