F1 | Australian GP – FIA decides on Lance Stroll, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz participation in Melbourne. F1 Australian GP: Verstappen, Sainz, and Stroll to tackle the race from the rear.

The stewards have made their decision: here’s the fate of Lance Stroll, Max Verstappen, and Carlos Sainz ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Three drivers were in doubt for tomorrow’s Australian GP at Albert Park. Max Verstappen, Lance Stroll, and Carlos Sainz did not set a time in today’s qualifying session in Melbourne, which would normally have meant they couldn’t start the race. However, the final decision was left to the stewards, and they ruled differently.

FIA clears all three drivers to race

The FIA has confirmed that all three drivers will be allowed to take the start of the Australian Grand Prix despite failing to set a valid time in Q1. The 107% rule, though applied differently, has effectively been satisfied by all three, but their challenge tomorrow will be significant.

For the season opener, all three will start from the back of the grid and attempt to move up through the field. Verstappen is expected to start 20th, ahead of Sainz and Stroll, who will occupy the last positions on the grid at the circuit.

Understanding the 107% rule

What is the 107% rule? In short, this regulation states that during qualifying, no driver may set a time slower than 107% of the fastest lap recorded. For example, if the fastest lap is 1:40.000, any driver exceeding 1:47.000 would normally not be allowed to start the Grand Prix.

The rule was introduced with a dual purpose: to maintain a high level of competitiveness in the category and to improve safety on track, ensuring that faster cars are not constantly forced to overtake significantly slower cars.

The drivers’ situations

In Verstappen’s case, the session ended prematurely after a spin at Turn 1 prevented him from completing a timed lap. Carlos Sainz also failed to set a time, stopping his car during the out-lap from the pit lane. In both instances, however, competitive times achieved during the weekend’s practice sessions were sufficient to demonstrate that the two drivers could have fallen within the 107% limit.

The most complex situation involved Stroll. The Aston Martin driver was unable to complete a competitive lap throughout the weekend, due to various issues with the Honda power unit that heavily restricted the team’s program. Despite this, the FIA decided to grant a waiver. The stewards’ evaluation also considered that Stroll’s teammate, Fernando Alonso, managed to set a sufficient time to qualify the car for the race, demonstrating the potential of the technical package.

Starting positions and regulations

Under the 2026 regulations, unclassified drivers permitted to race must start behind all drivers who recorded a valid lap. For this reason, the three cars will not start from the pit lane but will take their positions on the grid for the Australian GP start.

The FIA’s decision to allow Verstappen, Sainz, and Stroll to race ensures that the 2026 season opener will feature a full 22-car field, though the back-of-the-grid start for a three-time champion like Max adds a layer of unexpected chaos to the event. While the 107% rule remains a vital safety net for the sport, the stewards’ use of practice data to grant these derogations highlights a pragmatic approach to a weekend plagued by the technical growing pains of a new era.