BREAKING: McLaren in Chinese Grand Prix curfew breach as FIA issue official ruling… Read more
McLaren and Three Other F1 Teams Escape Penalty for Chinese GP Curfew Breach
McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin have received an official ruling from the FIA after breaching the curfew at the Chinese Grand Prix due to logistical challenges.
Ahead of the race weekend in Shanghai, these teams were affected by significant freight delays caused by aircraft technical issues on the route from Australia to China. The back-to-back nature of the race calendar meant there was limited time to transport and set up essential equipment, leading to teams working beyond the permitted hours at the circuit.
The FIA acknowledged the disruption, even revealing that official tyre supplier Pirelli had also encountered difficulties in meeting its deadlines. Given these circumstances, teams had no choice but to extend their working hours at the track before the first practice session (FP1).
According to the FIA’s official statement, personnel from McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin were present within the Shanghai International Circuit during a restricted 13-hour period that started at 17:30 local time on March 19. Normally, F1 teams are allowed up to four curfew breaches per season before penalties are enforced, meaning this could have counted against their limit.
However, the FIA later decided that this specific curfew violation would not be counted as one of the four exemptions permitted for each team. The governing body determined that the breach occurred due to factors beyond the teams’ control, and therefore, no penalties or deductions would apply.
This decision comes as a relief for the affected teams, as curfew breaches can lead to strategic setbacks later in the season if all four permitted exemptions are used up early. With this ruling, McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin retain their full quota of curfew allowances for future races.
Despite the logistical setbacks, all teams are now focused on the Chinese Grand Prix, which marks the return of Formula 1 to Shanghai after a five-year absence.
