Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, Bahrain, 2026 — Photo: © IMAGO

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Lance Stroll learns Australian GP fate as FIA announce 107% ruling

The FIA stewards have issued their verdict

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Saturday 7 March 2026 09:57 Updated: 10:33

The FIA have announced the stewards' verdict as to whether Lance Stroll can compete in the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The news comes as Stroll failed to make it out of the Aston Martin garage at all on Saturday - for both FP3 and qualifying.

It is the latest in a long line of embarrassing moments for Adrian Newey's team as they continue to battle multiple issues.

Article continues under video

The 107 per cent rule looked set to throw yet another spanner in the works for Stroll and Aston Martin, with the stewards potentially being able to stop the Canadian from taking part in Sunday's race due to his failure to set a lap time.

However, much to Stroll's relief no doubt, they have given him permission to take part.

Here's why.

Stewards give green light for Stroll to race

After failing to set a lap time within 107 per cent of the fastest time set in Q1, Aston Martin had to plead with the stewards to let Stroll take part.

They said that Alonso's time demonstrated the AMR26 was fast enough; pointed Stroll's past F1 record and familiarity with the Albert Park circuit; and lastly highlighted the team's decision not to run on Saturday was due to an ongoing issue with a damaged oil line and therefore with safety in mind.

The stewards took all of the above into consideration and granted Stroll permission to take part in the race.

He will line up at the back of the grid down in P22, behind the likes of Max Verstappen who crashed out of qualifying in Q1.

F1 Qualifying Results: Australian Grand Prix 2026

Australian Grand Prix Qualifying results
Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	George Russell	Mercedes	1:18.518
2	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+0.293s
3	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	+0.785s
4	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.809s
5	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.862s
6	Lando Norris	McLaren	+0.957s
7	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.960s
8	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+1.476s
9	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+2.729s
10	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	NO TIME
11	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	ELIMINATED IN Q2
12	Oliver Bearman	Haas	ELIMINATED IN Q2
13	Esteban Ocon	Haas	ELIMINATED IN Q2
14	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	ELIMINATED IN Q2
15	Alex Albon	Williams	ELIMINATED IN Q2
16	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	ELIMINATED IN Q2
17	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	ELIMINATED IN Q1
18	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	ELIMINATED IN Q1
19	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	ELIMINATED IN Q1
20	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	ELIMINATED IN Q1
21	Carlos Sainz	Williams	ELIMINATED IN Q1
22	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	ELIMINATED IN Q1

F1 HEADLINES: Newey reveals the shocking truth as FIA announce last-minute U-turn

Written by

Matthew Hobkinson - Lead Editor

After four years working for a Lloyd's of London insurance syndicate, lockdown gave me the chance to chase a career in sports journalism - I haven't looked back. I have found a home here at GPFans where I can showcase the weird and wonderful world of F1 to the millions of fans around the world who are just as passionate as I am about the best sport in the world.

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Aston Martin Australian Grand Prix Lance Stroll