The Ultimate 2023 Formula 1 Spotters Guide

Photo: Clive Mason – Formula 1 (Getty Images)

It might not seem like it sometimes, but F1 does have rules that the drivers must follow over a grand prix weekend. These govern how they can behave on track, dictate where the track starts and finishes, and affect how much fuel cars can use over a race. But, what happens if these rules are broken?

Well, in that case, drivers and teams can be hit with fines and in-race sanctions. The most visible over a race weekend are grid-drops and time penalties. Racers can be handed five- or ten-second time penalties in a race if they are found to be at fault. If they’re given one of these, they must take it at their next pit stop, where they will be held for the allotted time before the team can get to work.

One up from this is a drive-through penalty, which forces a racer to pass through the pit lane without stopping for tires. The most severe penalty is a ten-second stop-go, which forces a driver into the pits where they must then stop on their mark for ten seconds before rejoining the race. Mechanics cannot work on the car during one of these penalties.