Sun Nov 23 04:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Mercedes Avoids Penalty in Las Vegas Qualifying Due to IT Glitch
Las Vegas, NV – Mercedes escaped a penalty following Formula 1 qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix after an initial report indicated they failed to submit mandatory set-up sheets to the FIA in a timely manner. Technical delegate Jo Bauer flagged the team after the sheets for both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were not received by the FIA twelve minutes into the qualifying session.
However, Mercedes was able to prove to the stewards with email evidence that the sheets had been sent. The issue stemmed from an IT security problem on the FIA’s end, which prevented the timely delivery of the document.
Article 40.1 of the sporting regulations mandates teams submit suspension set-up sheets for each car before they leave the pit lane for qualifying. Non-compliance can result in penalties ranging from reprimands and fines to grid penalties or even exclusion from the qualifying session. Williams received a reprimand in 2016 for a similar infraction, although this was due to a change in the teams document creation.
The stewards ultimately ruled in favor of Mercedes. As a result, George Russell retains his fourth-place starting position, while Antonelli, who was eliminated in Q1, will start 17th.
In related news, Alpine was fined €5000 for a separate tyre infringement.
Elsewhere, Lando Norris secured pole position for the race and Oscar Piastri’s title hopes took a further blow after he wound up fifth. Lewis Hamilton’s Las Vegas GP F1 qualifying went disastrously.
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