‘Software error’ prompts confusing Safety Car end to British Grand Prix
5th July 2026Spectators and fans were treated to a confusing end to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix as the Safety Car remained out on track, ending the Silverstone race behind it.
Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool
Fans were expecting a thrilling end to the British Grand Prix, with the safety car expected to peel into the pits on the penultimate lap. However, Safety Car driver, Bernd Maylander, kept the specialised Mercedes car out on track, circulating around on the final lap of the race.
Maylander got an appearance out on track this weekend after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen spun out at Stowe Corner, on lap 48 of 52, prompting the safety car to be deployed.
This provided a confusing end to the British event, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claiming his first race win since 2024. According to the FIA, this was due to a ‘software error’ when the message ‘safety car in this lap’ was prompted on screen.
The reason this was an error was because of the wording inside the regulations, after allowing the lapped cars to unlap themselves.
Leclerc wins British Grand Prix as Silverstone ends under Safety Car
Had the safety car pulled into the pits at the end of the lap, it would have been a breach of the regulations. According to Article B5.13.5b of the F1 Sporting Regulations, it stipulates that once the lapped cars are allowed to unlap themselves, the safety car would be required to pit on the following lap.
As the lapped cars were allowed to unlap themselves on lap 51 of 52, it meant – according to the regulations – the safety car would be forced to come into the pits at the end of lap 52, the final lap.
Effectively ending the race under the safety car, as it did.
As such, Leclerc led home his first victory of the year ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, who completed the podium.
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
