Carlos Sainz was recorded at 93.7 km/h—13.7 km/h above the 80 km/h limit—during the final minutes of Friday practice at Imola.
Stewards swiftly applied Article 34.7 of the Sporting Regulations and summoned team officials.
Official Verdict
“Car 55 exceeded the pit lane speed limit which is set at 80 km/h for this event by 13.7 km/h,” the ruling stated.
The panel levied a €1,000 fine on Williams, noting the right of appeal but expecting none.
Competitive Context
The infringement blemished an otherwise encouraging session in which Sainz placed third, just 0.052 s behind pace-setter Piastri.
Team-mate Alex Albon edged Sainz in FP2 as both Williams drivers continued evaluating aero tweaks debuted in Miami.
Sainz’s Recent Form and Friction
Sainz joined Williams from Ferrari for 2025 and scored points in Florida despite late-race radio drama that left him “angry.”
Team boss James Vowles promised procedural refinements after Albon overtook Sainz amid strategy confusion.
Regulatory Reminder
Pit-lane speeding is among the most common fines, viewed as a straightforward safety measure for crew members.
Teams routinely fit speed-limiter buttons, but brake maps, tyre temps, or human error can create slight overruns.
Looking Ahead
Williams will evaluate telemetry to prevent repeats, while Sainz targets a top-six grid slot in qualifying.
The modest penalty should not disrupt the outfit’s broader push to close on midfield rivals Aston Martin and Alpine.