FIA explains British GP last-lap confusion due to technical glitch
The FIA revealed that a software error caused an incorrect message about the safety car leaving the track at the British Grand Prix, preventing a final-lap battle.
After Max Verstappen's crash late in the race, the safety car was deployed. Initially, race control announced that the safety car would pull in, allowing one more racing lap, but this decision was reversed, and the race ended under the safety car.
In its explanation, the FIA stated that a technical fault was responsible. Regulation B5.13.5 requires that after the lapped cars are allowed to overtake, one more lap must be completed before the safety car returns to the pits. Race control followed this procedure, but the message "Safety car in this lap" was displayed incorrectly due to a software glitch.
As a result, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc won without a last-lap fight, despite having pitted for fresh soft tires in anticipation of a restart. Mercedes' George Russell, who did not change tires, finished second, while Lewis Hamilton dropped from second to third after his pit stop. Hamilton was investigated for a possible yellow-flag infringement but received no penalty.
Interest in race-ending procedures has been high since the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, where a late restart allowed Verstappen to pass Hamilton on the last lap and win the title. The FIA emphasized that this time race control acted correctly, with the error limited to the system message.
