FIA Confirms McLaren F1 Curfew Breach at Bahrain GP, No Penalty Issued
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially confirmed that McLaren breached Formula 1’s curfew regulations during the opening weekend of the 2025 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite the infraction, no penalty has been applied to the team as the breach falls within their allowed seasonal exceptions.
The incident occurred on the Thursday night prior to the first free practice session (FP1) at the Bahrain International Circuit. According to the FIA’s announcement, members of McLaren’s operational staff—those directly involved in the running and maintenance of the cars—were present at the circuit during a time strictly governed by curfew rules. This presence was deemed a violation of the sport’s sporting regulations, which are designed to ensure fairness and manage workloads for all personnel involved in a race weekend.
In Formula 1, curfews are implemented to prevent team members from overworking and to foster a level playing field. These rules limit the number of hours that team staff can spend at the circuit before and during a Grand Prix weekend. Specifically, the breach by McLaren occurred during the “second restricted period,” which begins 18 hours before FP1 and ends four hours before its scheduled start. During this period, teams are not permitted to carry out any work on the cars or perform any operational duties. Even tasks such as analyzing telemetry, setting up electronic systems, or preparing parts are strictly forbidden.
Per Article 23.5(a) of the FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, team members with direct involvement in the operation of the car—including engineers, mechanics, and other technical staff—must not be at the circuit during curfew periods. Only certain roles, such as those in catering, media, marketing, or freight handling (excluding tasks related to packing or unpacking equipment), are exempt from these restrictions.
Although McLaren’s personnel were confirmed to be present during the prohibited time, the FIA opted not to issue a penalty. This is because each team is granted up to three exceptions to curfew violations per season. These allowances are meant to accommodate unexpected issues or urgent needs that might arise in the fast-paced environment of F1. Since this was McLaren’s first breach of the year, it fell within their quota and did not result in disciplinary action.
However, the FIA did highlight that repeated curfew violations beyond the permitted three exceptions could lead to sanctions. If McLaren commits similar infractions later in the season, the consequences may include financial penalties or grid position drops, depending on the severity and frequency of the breaches.
The breach had no impact on McLaren’s performance during FP1 or the overall race weekend, nor did it alter the team’s championship position. Nevertheless, it puts the team under added scrutiny moving forward. Compliance with curfew regulations is vital for maintaining fairness across the grid and ensuring that all team members are afforded adequate rest and working conditions.
McLaren has yet to make a public statement regarding the breach. However, the situation serves as a timely reminder to all teams about the importance of adhering strictly to the FIA’s sporting code. In a sport where success is often determined by fractions of a second, avoiding unnecessary penalties through regulatory compliance can significantly influence a team’s fortunes across a season.
As the 2025 campaign unfolds, teams will need to carefully manage their operations and monitor curfew usage. With only a limited number of exemptions available, strategic planning and discipline will be essential to avoid breaches that could compromise competitive performance later in the year.
