Once\u00a0Verstappen\u2019s Red Bull was recovered from the Stowe gravel trap by the marshals, FIA race control followed its standard procedures by allowing the lapped cars to overtake the train to unlap themselves.<\/p>\n
Those cars were cleared on the penultimate lap, but F1 rules state that one lap must be completed following the unlapping procedure. That lap was set to be the final lap of the race.<\/p>\n
However, race control\u2019s messaging flashed up with \u201csafety car in this lap\u201d on the penultimate lap to indicate a one-lap restart was set to take place.<\/p>\n
But eight seconds later, the race control messaging system updated with \u201csafety car deployed\u201d and the safety car duly stayed out on track for the final lap, effectively ending the race.<\/p>\n
![\"Charles](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/charles-leclerc-ferrari.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari<\/p>\n
Photo by: Ben Stansall \/ Pool \/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
The\u00a0FIA has moved to clarify the situation, stating: \u201cThe Safety Car period regulation, Article B5. 13.5, states that one lap must be completed following the unlapping procedure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis process was followed by Race Operations. The \u201cSafety Car In This Lap\u201d message was displayed erroneously due to a software error.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the rules followed correctly, it meant\u00a0Charles Leclerc<\/a> took victory without a final-lap fight despite pitting for fresh soft tyres in preparation for a restart.<\/p>\n George Russell<\/a>, who didn\u2019t pit for fresh tyres, duly moved up to second for Mercedes<\/a> after Lewis Hamilton<\/a> also pitted for fresh tyres.<\/p>\n The seven-time F1 world champion is still under investigation for an earlier yellow flag infringement.<\/p>\n The focus and sensitivity around late-race restarts in F1 is magnified given the events of the 2021 title decider in\u00a0Abu Dhabi GP, when the FIA rules were not followed correctly and saw a one-lap restart occur, which enabled Verstappen to overtake Hamilton and take the world title.<\/p>\n Photos from British GP – Sunday<\/p>\n Read Also:<\/p>\n We want your opinion!<\/p>\n What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?<\/p>\n