Pérez receives three-place Azerbaijan GP grid penalty for impeding Piastri

News Summary

Sergio Pérez received a three-place grid penalty for the Azerbaijan GP
The stewards ruled that he unnecessarily impeded Oscar Piastri in qualifying
Pérez had received two radio warnings that the McLaren driver was approaching

Sergio Pérez has received a three-place grid penalty for the Azerbaijan GP after the stewards ruled that he unnecessarily impeded Oscar Piastri during qualifying in Baku.

The incident occurred between Turns 18 and 20 while Pérez was completing a preparation lap. The Cadillac driver was travelling slowly on the racing line as Piastri approached on a flying lap.

According to the FIA decision, Piastri was travelling at approximately 300km/h while Pérez was at 248km/h. The McLaren driver was forced to lift off the throttle.

Stewards say Pérez ignored two warnings

Race control instructions required drivers on preparation laps to remain on the right-hand side of that section of the circuit.

Pérez was warming his tyres instead of maintaining a predictable line, placing his Cadillac directly in Piastri’s path. The stewards also found that Pérez had received two radio warnings informing him that the McLaren was approaching.

Pérez argued that he had no reasonable alternative in the circumstances. Piastri confirmed that he had been forced to lift but said the incident had not ultimately cost him significant lap time.

The stewards determined that the situation was not dangerous. However, they concluded that Piastri had still been unnecessarily impeded because Pérez failed to follow the specific traffic-management instructions.

The standard three-place penalty for impeding was therefore applied.

Pérez set to drop behind Baku grid

Pérez had qualified 20th for Cadillac, ahead of Lance Stroll and team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Subject to the final grid following other penalties, the sanction is expected to move him to the back.

Piastri recovered to qualify third, only 0.001s behind Charles Leclerc, while George Russell dominated the session to secure pole.

The Azerbaijan GP begins on Saturday at 12:00 UK time, 07:00 ET and 08:00 in Brasília.

GRANDE PRÊMIO follows every session of the Azerbaijan GP LIVE and in REAL TIME.

F1 today: FAQ

What time does the 2026 Azerbaijan GP start?

The race starts on Saturday, September 26, at 12:00 UK time. It begins at 07:00 ET and 04:00 PT in the US, 16:30 in India and 21:00 AEST in eastern Australia.

Who starts on pole for the Azerbaijan GP?

George Russell starts from pole for Mercedes, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. Isack Hadjar qualified fourth, followed by Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.

Why is the Azerbaijan GP being held on Saturday?

The race was moved to Saturday because Sunday, September 27, is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, a national day of mourning. The entire F1 weekend was brought forward by one day.