Formula 1 pacesetters Mercedes have been found guilty of a rule breach ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
George Russell has clinched pole position for the race — which will take place at 11pm on Sunday evening (AEST).
The Brit is bidding to reduce the 50-point deficit to teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship, and overhaul second-place Lewis Hamilton in the process.
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But while pole was secured by Russell and Mercedes, the aftermath of qualification will have concerned them.
That is because the FIA have revealed they breached their curfew on Friday.
Although curfew breaches often take place, the rule is in place to prevent teams from working on their cars overnight and therefore gaining an advantage on their rivals.
Yet despite the infringement, it is only Mercedes’ first of four exceptions permitted — meaning they will not be punished on this occasion.
The FIA statement read: “Last night team personnel of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, who are associated with the operation of the car, were within the confines of the circuit during the eleven and a half (11.5) hour period which commenced at 22:00 on 26 June, fourteen and a half (14.5) hours before the scheduled start time of P3 and ends three (3) hours before the scheduled start time of P3 at 09:30 on 27 June.
“This was the first (1 ) of the four (4) individual exceptions permitted for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team during the 2026 Formula One Championship season and therefore no action should be taken.”
Like Mercedes, Audi were also deemed to have breached the curfew — with the German team earning their second exception.
Russell lines up at the front of the grid for the Austrian GP knowing teammate Antonelli is back in fourth behind the Ferrari pair of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Four-time champion Max Verstappen starts fifth ahead of McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Aussie Piastri made headlines earlier this week after it was reported he could be in line to swap seats with Red Bull’s Verstappen.