Breaking:FIA Confirms Deleted Lap Penalties on two F1 star at Imola GP after inv….read more 

FIA Confirms Deleted Lap Penalties on two F1 star at Imola GP after inv….read more 

The FIA has officially confirmed that two Formula 1 drivers were handed deleted lap penalties during the recent Imola Grand Prix due to track limit violations. In an announcement following the race, the governing body revealed that Alex Albon of Williams and Pierre Gasly of Alpine both had lap times removed after going off track at key moments during the race.

Alex Albon was involved in a tense on-track battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc late in the Grand Prix. As the duo fought for position, Albon ran wide and ended up in the gravel, ultimately conceding the position to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who took advantage of the incident to pass. Although Leclerc briefly ceded the position back to Albon in an attempt to avoid a stewards’ inquiry, that particular lap was ultimately invalidated by the FIA due to Albon’s off-track excursion.

The FIA clarified that Albon’s deleted lap was due to a breach of track limits after he went off into the gravel during his tussle with Leclerc. This incident, however, did not impact his final race standing. Despite the setback, Albon delivered an impressive performance, finishing the race in fifth place. His strong showing added to Williams’ continued momentum this season, with the team showcasing competitive pace throughout the weekend.

Albon’s recent form has seen him rise to eighth in the drivers’ standings, where he currently holds 40 points. His consistent performances have also played a key role in Williams’ solid position in the constructors’ championship, where the team now sits fifth. Meanwhile, his team-mate Carlos Sainz is in 11th place in the drivers’ rankings with 11 points to his name.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was the other driver to receive a deleted lap penalty. The Frenchman was deemed to have exceeded track limits at both Turn 10 and Turn 17 during the race. Despite successfully making it to Q3 during Saturday’s qualifying, Gasly couldn’t convert his strong starting position into a points finish and ended the race in 13th place. Like Albon, the time deletions did not alter his final classification, but they highlighted the importance of precision on a track known for its unforgiving layout.

While the deleted laps did not result in formal penalties or changes in finishing positions, the FIA’s decision underscores its continued strict enforcement of track limit regulations in 2025, a rule that continues to impact drivers and teams as they push the limits in the highly competitive F1 season.