Formula 1 would have had grid start with zero cars

Formula 1 would have carried out a grid start with zero cars had Lewis Hamilton joined his rivals in pitting for slick tyres in Hungary.

The Hungarian Grand Prix was red-flagged after two first-lap crashes on Sunday and Race Control opted to carry out a standing restart.

The remaining 15 drivers in the field left the pit lane on Intermediate tyres, following the earlier rainfall, but the circuit had dried sufficiently for slicks to be used.

All bar leader Hamilton ducked into the pit lane for fresh tyres while the World Champion lined up alone on the grid.

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It led to the bizarre spectacle of Hamilton being the sole driver to take the standing restart from the grid, along with the Medical Car, with the remaining drivers joining the action from the pit lane.

Had Hamilton also driven into the pit lane then Formula 1 still would have had a start on the grid – but without any drivers.

“It would have been the start procedure, activate the start lights per normal once the last car was in pit lane, start lights would have been activated, five red lights, red lights go out, once the red lights go out, the pit exit would be open,” said Formula 1’s Race Director Michael Masi.

“Irrespective [of the number of cars]. Because effectively the resumption of the race hasn’t recommenced until that point, and that’s the point for everything to be judged upon.

“I haven’t had one of those before! It was a bit different.”