Audi F1 Team fined after unsafe pit stop situation in Bahrain

The Audi F1 Team has been fined €30,000 by stewards following an incident during Nico Hulkenberg’s pit stop at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The fine includes a suspended portion of €20,000 for a period of 12 months, contingent on the team not committing similar offenses.

During a pit stop under a late safety car, the team’s automatic release system signaled a green light after the wheel nuts were removed. However, a mechanic was still positioned at the front left wheel to adjust the front wing flap. Although the green light was displayed, a controller performed a manual safety check and immediately switched the signal back to red. Hulkenberg reacted within 0.2 seconds, bringing the car to a halt before it could exit the pit box.

Stewards determined that while an ‘unsafe release’ as defined by FIA regulations had not technically occurred—because the car had not yet passed the point where the rear axle replaces the front axle's position—the premature green light created an unsafe situation for the crew member. Audi confirmed that no contact was made between the car and the mechanic, who remained unaffected and continued with subsequent pit stops.