FIA Closes Red Flag Loophole with New 2026 Rule

The FIA is closing the controversial red flag timing loophole that caused a 25-minute qualifying delay at the Emilia-Romagna GP. A new rule for 2026 will automatically invalidate any lap completed after a red flag is first displayed, removing all ambiguity and human interpretation from the process.

Why it matters:

The Imola incident, where Oliver Bearman's late Q1 lap was scrubbed after the fact, exposed a critical flaw in the system. The ensuing confusion and heated debates between teams and race control threatened the integrity of a qualifying session. This decisive rule change is essential to prevent similar disruptions and ensure clear, consistent outcomes as F1 heads into its next major regulatory era.

The details:

• The Imola Flashpoint: The rule change is a direct response to the chaos at Imola, where Oliver Bearman initially appeared to advance to Q2 before his lap time was deleted. The debate centered on whether the lap was completed before the red flag was officially shown.
• The Decisive Trigger: Under the new regulations, the "moment of first display" of the red flag, determined by the official timekeeping system, is the only factor that matters. Any lap time recorded after this instant will be automatically deleted by the stewards.
• Broad Application: The FIA has confirmed this rule applies universally across all practice sessions, qualifying, and the grand prix itself, leaving no room for session-specific interpretations.
• Eliminating Discretion: The new clause removes the need for real-time judgment calls or post-session deliberations by race directors and stewards, replacing a grey area with a binary, automated outcome.

Looking Ahead:

While the change takes effect in 2026, it sends an immediate message about the FIA's intent to tighten procedures. As the sport prepares for a massive technical and regulatory overhaul, closing these procedural loopholes is a proactive step to ensure on-track action, not officiating debates, is the focus. The message is clear: when the red flag is out, the session is over, period.