During the 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Williams driver Carlos Sainz crossed the finish line in 12th but was later relegated to 17th after the stewards added a lap to his classification for incorrectly unlapping himself under a late safety‑car.

A lap‑46 crash by Max Verstappen triggered a safety‑car that ran the final six laps. Article B5.13.4 c) allowed only lapped cars to overtake the safety‑car on the penultimate lap. Williams failed to recognise that Sainz’s car was not listed as a lapped car, so the team mistakenly let him pass the safety‑car and gain a lap.

The penalty marks the first time an F1 driver has had a lap added to his final classification. Charles Leclerc won the race for Ferrari, while Williams’ lone finish was Sainz after teammate Alex Albon retired on lap 43.

The sanction dents Williams’ points haul and underscores the importance of precise race‑control communication. With the championship entering its final rounds, the penalty could widen the gap between Williams and the midfield, forcing the team to focus on procedural accuracy in addition to on‑track performance.