Editing Race start (section)

===Post grid-allocation changes===
Even following final grid allocation, which typically occurs two hours before the scheduled start of the race, it is possible for events to occur that alter the order of the cars starting the race.<ref> Sporting Regulations, art 42.4. </ref>

Where a car is required to start from the pit lane (for instance, due to a mechanical issue or failure to move away from the grid during the formation lap), that car is physically withdrawn from the grid, however the grid positions of other cars do not change to compensate.

If a driver receives a penalty between the issue of the final starting grid and the start of the race, it appears to be the practice of the FIA that a time penalty rather than a grid penalty is given. At the 2020 Russian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton completed two practice starts outside the area permitted by the Race Director’s Instructions during the reconnaissance laps prior to race start. He was issued with a 5 second penalty for each infraction, rather than a grid penalty.<ref> See Stewards’ Decision, 2020 Russian Grand Prix, Offence – Car 44 – 1st Practice Start; Stewards’ Decision, 2020 Russian Grand Prix, Offence – Car 44 – 2nd  Practice Start. Note that these decisions were later replaced to impose a fine on the team rather than penalty points (the time penalty remained constant).</ref> It is however worth noting that these infractions do not carry a mandatory penalty, and thus the Stewards had discretion to award either a grid or time penalty. It is unclear whether a similar approach would be taken where the Sporting Regulations mandate a grid penalty.