FIA issue official explanation over final-lap Safety Car confusion at British GP

The closing stages of the British Grand Prix looked set for one final racing lap, echoing the events of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after the on-screen graphics indicated that the Safety Car would come in at the end of the penultimate lap following Max Verstappen's crash.

However, to widespread surprise, Bernd Mayländer continued through Vale instead of peeling into the pit lane, effectively freezing the order until the chequered flag and allowing Charles Leclerc to celebrate victory unchallenged.

Shortly after the race, the FIA explained that the regulations require one full lap to be completed after the unlapping procedure has finished. It confirmed that Race Control had correctly followed that process, adding that the "Safety Car In This Lap" message had been displayed in error due to a software issue.