Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll is facing an unusual penalty from the FIA after Saturday’s qualifying session at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix. The 26-year-old is under investigation for allegedly ignoring the mandated drivers‘ weighing procedure at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, raising questions about his compliance with race officials.

Details of the Weighing Procedure Breach During Qualifying

The FIA released a statement confirming that Stroll failed to follow the instructions detailed in the Race Director’s Event Notes, specifically item 13 relating to the post–qualifying drivers‘ weighing process. The statement noted an irregular delay and route deviation:

“Firstly the driver stayed 5 minutes in the teams garage before proceeding to the scales and secondly he did not proceed through the pit-lane.”

—FIA Official Statement

This breach prompted stewards to review the incident, with the final penalty decision expected to be announced later in the evening. Stroll currently holds 14th position on the starting grid pending the outcome of the investigation.

Implications for Stroll and the Spanish Grand Prix

The penalty could affect Stroll’s qualifying position and disrupt his race strategy for Sunday’s Grand Prix. This development adds to an already tense qualifying session for other drivers, with significant setbacks reported for top contenders. The stewards’ ruling will clarify how this unusual procedural error influences Aston Martin’s campaign at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.