Stroll ordered to start US GP from pit lane
Lance Stroll must start the 2026 United States Grand Prix from the pit lane. Aston Martin changed his suspension setup and replaced five power-unit components under parc fermé conditions at COTA without FIA approval, triggering the penalty per sporting regulations.
FIA decision mandates pit lane start
The FIA stewards required Lance Stroll to start the United States Grand Prix from the pit lane after Aston Martin made unauthorized changes to car 18 under parc fermé conditions.[1] The team altered the suspension setup and replaced the internal combustion engine, turbocharger, energy store, control electronics unit, and power unit ancillary component without Technical Delegate approval.[1]
Stroll had qualified 22nd on the provisional grid but now joins the race from the pit lane at the Circuit of the Americas.[2] Multiple additional power-unit elements were fitted, each exceeding allocation limits; the parc fermé breach alone mandated the pit lane start under Article B3.5.3a.[1]
Grid implications
Drivers originally behind Stroll advance one position each on the starting grid.[2] The changes also occurred after the covers-off deadline and involved work beyond permitted hours, compounding the regulatory breach.[1]
Related reading
- [1]2026 United States Grand Prix - Infringement - Car 18 (fia). Accessed 2026-10-25.
- [2]2026 United States Grand Prix Starting Grid (formula1). Accessed 2026-10-25.