McLaren in Chinese Grand Prix curfew breach as FIA issue official ruling
McLaren and Three Other F1 Teams Receive Official FIA Ruling Following Curfew Breach
The McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin Formula 1 teams have been handed an official FIA ruling following a curfew breach at the Chinese Grand Prix. The four teams were forced to work beyond the permitted hours at the Shanghai circuit due to logistical delays caused by freight delays ahead of the Chinese GP weekend.
Aircraft technical issues between Australia and China resulted in a tight turnaround between the two race weekends, making it difficult for teams to meet the required deadlines. The FIA even released a statement confirming that official tyre supplier Pirelli had also struggled to meet deadlines.
As a result, the four teams broke a curfew ahead of FP1 at the Shanghai International Circuit. According to the regulations, teams are allowed to break the curfew four times throughout the season before penalties apply.
The FIA announced in an official document: “Wednesday night team personnel of the McLaren Formula 1 team, the Oracle Red Bull Racing team, the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team who are associated with the operation of the car, were within the confines of the circuit during the 13 hour period which commenced at 17:30 on 19 March.”
However, in a later decision, the FIA confirmed that the incident will not count as one of the four exceptions. The governing body stated: “[As] this was due to circumstances outside the control of the teams, the teams will not be required to utilise one of the four individual exemptions permitted.”
This decision is a welcome relief for the four teams involved, as it means they will not have to use up one of their allocated curfew exemptions. The FIA’s ruling acknowledges that the circumstances leading to the curfew breach were beyond the control of the teams, and therefore, they should not be penalized.
As the Formula 1 season continues to unfold, the FIA’s decision serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in organizing a global motorsport event. The governing body’s willingness to take into account exceptional circumstances demonstrates their commitment to fairness and flexibility in the application of the regulations.
With the Chinese Grand Prix now behind us, the teams will be focusing on the next challenge, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. As they prepare for the demands of the Baku City Circuit, they will be grateful for the FIA’s understanding and flexibility in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
