The FIA has attributed a controversial conclusion to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix to a software error in race control messaging. The issue led to the safety car remaining on track for the final lap instead of allowing a restart.
After Max Verstappen crashed with six laps remaining at Silverstone, the safety car was deployed. Lapped cars were allowed to unlap themselves on the penultimate lap in line with standard procedures.
FIA rules require one full lap after the unlapping process, which would have been the final lap of the race. However, messaging briefly displayed “safety car in this lap” before switching to “safety car deployed” eight seconds later due to the error.
Charles Leclerc secured victory for Ferrari without a restart. George Russell finished second for Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton, who pitted, remains under investigation for an earlier yellow flag infringement.
The FIA statement confirmed that Article B5.13.5 was followed correctly and the erroneous message stemmed from a software issue.
