FIA acknowledges errors impacted Singapore F1 sprint qualifying
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Oct 11, 2026, 7:14 AM
Last updated Oct 11, 2026
The FIA admitted to human error affecting the Singapore Grand Prix sprint qualifying on October 11, 2026. The federation's single-seater director, Nikolas Tombazis, called the situation the worst for the organization. Issues arose during the final moments of SQ1 after a red flag caused by Sergio Perez's crash, which involved mismanagement of the overtake mode by race control. The FIA has committed to reviewing its procedures to prevent future occurrences.
- •FIA admits to compromised fairness during sprint qualifying
- •Errors occurred after red flag due to Sergio Perez's crash
- •Mismanagement of overtake mode affected SQ1
- •Nikolas Tombazis labeled it the worst situation for the FIA
- •FIA plans to review procedures for better handling
- 7:14 AMYahoo Sports — Sainz reveals startling private FIA confession after Singapore qualifying chaos
- 7:02 AMAutosport — FIA admits fairness was compromised in Singapore GP sprint qualifying “mess”
- 6:59 AMMotorsport.com — FIA admits fairness was compromised in Singapore F1 sprint qualifying “mess”
- 6:59 AMYahoo Sports — FIA admits fairness was compromised in Singapore F1 sprint qualifying “mess”
"The FIA has again owned up to its human error at Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix, with its single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis describing it as “the worst thing” for the federation. After sprint qualifying was red-flagged following Sergio Perez’s crash, the end of SQ1 was impacted by race control first failing to reactivate overtake mode, then turning it back on for 27 seconds and ...Keep reading
"The FIA has again owned up to its human error at Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix, with its single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis describing it as “the worst thing” for the federation. After sprint qualifying was red-flagged following Sergio Perez’s crash, the end of SQ1 was impacted by race control first failing to reactivate overtake mode, then turning it back on for 27 seconds and ...Keep reading
"Carlos Sainz has revealed that FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis personally apologised to him following the controversy surrounding Sprint Qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix. According to the Williams driver, the Greek acknowledged that human error affected the session and admitted that the decision to proceed with SQ2 despite the sporting unfairness was wrong.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsOct 11, 2026, 7:14 AMSainz reveals startling private FIA confession after Singapore qualifying chaos
Carlos Sainz has revealed that FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis personally apologised to him following the controversy surrounding Sprint Qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix. According to the Williams driver, the Greek acknowledged that human error affected the session and admitted that the decision to proceed with SQ2 despite the sporting unfairness was wrong.
- AutosportOct 11, 2026, 7:02 AMFIA admits fairness was compromised in Singapore GP sprint qualifying “mess”
The FIA has again owned up to its human error at Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix, with its single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis describing it as “the worst thing” for the federation. After sprint qualifying was red-flagged following Sergio Perez’s crash, the end of SQ1 was impacted by race control first failing to reactivate overtake mode, then turning it back on for 27 seconds and ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comOct 11, 2026, 6:59 AMFIA admits fairness was compromised in Singapore F1 sprint qualifying “mess”
The FIA has again owned up to its human error at Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix, with its single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis describing it as “the worst thing” for the federation. After sprint qualifying was red-flagged following Sergio Perez’s crash, the end of SQ1 was impacted by race control first failing to reactivate overtake mode, then turning it back on for 27 seconds and ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsOct 11, 2026, 6:59 AMFIA admits fairness was compromised in Singapore F1 sprint qualifying “mess”
The FIA's single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis explains what happened in latest blunder during Singapore GP sprint qualifying
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