Stop and go penalty

Sebastian Vettel drives out of the pits after his stop-and-go penalty during the 2019 Italian GP

Stop and go penalty is a common term used in Formula 1 racing, which refers to a type of penalty that is given to drivers who violate the rules of the race. The penalty requires the driver to enter the pit lane, stop at their designated pit stop location, wait for a predetermined amount of time, and then continue racing.

The Stop and Go penalty is one of the harshest penalties in Formula 1, as it results in a significant loss of time and position. The duration of the penalty can vary depending on the severity of the infringement, with the minimum being ten seconds and the maximum being thirty seconds.

The Stop and Go penalty is usually given for serious offences, such as dangerous driving, causing a collision, ignoring yellow flags, or violating pit lane rules. It is also used for some technical infractions, such as exceeding the pit lane speed limit, illegal overtaking, or failing to serve a previous penalty.

The driver must serve the penalty within three laps of being notified by the race officials, or risk disqualification from the race. Once the penalty is served, the driver can resume racing, but with a significant disadvantage. This is because the time lost during the pit stop and the duration of the penalty puts the driver behind other competitors who are racing at full speed.

The Stop and Go penalty is not the only penalty that can be given in Formula 1, but it is one of the most severe. Other penalties include drive-through penalties, time penalties, grid penalties, and disqualification. The type and severity of the penalty depend on the nature of the infringement and the discretion of the race officials.

The Stop and Go penalty is a type of penalty given in Formula 1 racing for serious infractions of the rules. It requires the driver to enter the pit lane, stop at their designated pit stop location, wait for a predetermined amount of time, and then continue racing. It is a harsh penalty that can result in a significant loss of time and position, and it is used for offences such as dangerous driving, ignoring yellow flags, or violating pit lane rules.