Race start

The grid

The order in which cars begin the race (either on the grid or behind the Safety Car) is primarily determined by the results of Qualifying, with two exceptions: any grid penalties incurred by drivers, and any factors inhibiting a driver from starting the race. The highly complex procedure for determining this order is set out by the Sporting Regulations at Article 42.3 and is explained below, followed by an illustrative example.

1. Establish the total sum of grid penalties incurred by each driver.
2. For each driver with 15 or less places of total grid penalties, and who was classified in qualifying, sum their qualifying position and their total penalties. Assign each of these drivers to the grid position corresponding to this value. Where multiple drivers have the same position, the driver classified the slowest among them in Qualifying takes that position, with the other drivers taking places ahead in order of qualifying position.
3. Fill the remaining spots on the grid with classified, unpenalized drivers, with drivers taking positions in order of their Qualifying result.
4. If at this point any gaps in the grid order exist, shuffle drivers up in order to fill them.
5. Following on from the last driver on the current grid, fill the remaining places with classified drivers that have accrued more than 15 cumulative grid position penalties, or who have been penalised to start at the back of the grid. Relative positions among these drivers are determined solely by Qualifying result (i.e. each is considered to have been penalised equally).
6. Any drivers unclassified in Qualifying that have nonetheless been permitted to participate in Qualifying will then be placed on the grid after all classified drivers, with relative positions amongst them determined by Qualifying position.

Grid penalties are imposed by the Stewards for a variety of infractions, and are further explained at Penalties and other Remedies. Also available is the penalty of starting “from the back of the grid”, although this is rarely used. As is evident from the above procedure, where a driver incurs more than 15 places worth of grid penalties, it is taken to be equivalent to starting from the back of the grid. This is most common where a driver has taken multiple penalties for exceeding the number of allocated components. A driver may be required to start from the pit lane for certain infractions, typically connected to change of car parts under parc ferme conditions. This results in a special procedure for such a car, discussed below at start procedure.

Grid allocation example – starting grid for the 2021 Russian Grand Prix

Following a dramatic and wet session, the Qualifying classification for the 2021 Russian Grand Prix was as follows:

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. 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. 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.

Race start procedure

Forty minutes prior to the scheduled start of the race, cars are permitted to perform reconnaissance laps of the circuit, however they must pass through the pitlane between reconnaissance laps in order to avoid conflicting with procedures on the grid. As a car has completes its final reconnaissance lap, it must line up on the grid in its designated grid position. Any car that fails to do so prior to 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the formation lap is required to start the race from the pitlane. A “formation lap” will begin following a series of audio and visual signals counting down through ten minutes, five minutes, three minutes, one minute, and 15 seconds. This lap does not count towards the length of the race. If, prior to the commencement of the formation lap, the Race Director decides the race start should be delayed, the start procedure will be suspended at the ten-minute mark until the Race Director determines it should proceed. This is most common where there is heavy rain. At the commencement of the formation lap, the starter lights will be illuminated green, and each car is required to proceed around the circuit following the lead car. Any car that fails to do so will be pushed by marshals into the pitlane, and must start from there (if at all). Overtaking is prohibited during the formation lap, unless failing to do so would unduly delay the remainder of the field. The overtaken car may re-take its position, however if they fail to do so they will be required to start from the pitlane. At the conclusion of the formation lap, each car must take its allocated position on the grid. Here, it is important to note that if a car is missing from the grid for any reason, other cars are not permitted to ‘backfill’ its grid spot. Once all cars have stopped on the grid, the starter lights will illuminate from one through five over the course of five seconds, before pausing for a randomised period before all extinguishing. The extinguishing of the lights signifies the start of the race. If, for any reason, a car is immobilised on the grid following the formation lap, it will be pushed into the pitlane by the marshals and must start from there (if at all).