Missing setup sheets for the Brackley team: here’s what the FIA decided
The speakers had already hinted at it live: tension was rising inside the Las Vegas paddock, specifically in garages 63 and 12. Mercedes had fallen under FIA scrutiny for what looked like a minor procedural violation—but one that could have had massive consequences. The Brackley team had failed to submit the mandatory setup sheets on time before qualifying, documents without which the entire session could have been considered invalid.
And on a night already marked by rain in the desert and Kimi Antonelli’s shock Q1 elimination—despite appearing in excellent form—the situation quickly became complicated for Toto Wolff’s squad.
The violation concerned Article 40.1 of the Sporting Regulations, which requires all teams to send their setup data to the FIA within a strict time window. The missing documents triggered an investigation, and—according to many—the threat of disqualification was anything but unrealistic.
FIA, Mercedes under investigation: here’s the outcome
The verdict? The FIA confirmed that Mercedes had indeed sent the documents via email, but a technical issue prevented them from being received. Case closed, no penalties. The team keeps its positions earned on track.
This means George Russell will start fourth, behind Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Carlos Sainz, who finished the session in that order with respective gaps of +0.323 and +0.362 from Norris’ pole lap (1:47.934). Further back, Oscar Piastri starts fifth, followed by Lawson, Alonso, Hadjar, and a struggling Charles Leclerc in ninth. Gasly rounds out the top 10.
The stewards’ decision allows Brackley to breathe a massive sigh of relief. Staying on the grid means staying fully alive in the battle for second in the Constructors’ Championship—where every point matters and Red Bull and Ferrari won’t give up an inch. For Russell, starting on the second row at a track where Mercedes took a historic 1–2 twelve months ago, the door is now wide open for potential victory, especially considering how unpredictable Las Vegas can be.
