In an unprecedented move, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has tweaked the curfew hours impacting all 10 Formula 1 teams. This adjustment is a response to significant “logistical challenges” encountered ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. The FIA has singled out Pirelli, the official tyre supplier of F1, as a focal point for these changes due to the difficulties they’ve been facing.
The 2025 F1 campaign, which kicked off last weekend in Melbourne, is already shifting gears to the second round in China. This weekend’s race will be the first of the year to adopt the Sprint format. However, transitioning from Australia to China hasn’t been a smooth drive for everyone, with unexpected freight complications causing significant delays.
In light of these challenges, the FIA has decided to relax the curfew rules for team personnel on Wednesday night at the Chinese Grand Prix alone. This alteration means that teams will face a shortened six-hour curfew on Wednesday night, during which they are prohibited from working on their cars. This is a significant reduction from the typical 11.5-hour curfew, a measure designed to manage the workload of team personnel during a race weekend.
The FIA statement highlighted that “due to the logistical challenges for the official tyre supplier resulting from delays in freight arrival, particularly the necessity to adjust the fitting schedule for Wednesday, the following concessions will be made: On Wednesday, and for this event only, the curfew period will be lessened by five and a half hours for a maximum of six operational personnel solely for the purpose of tyre preparations following tyre fitting from the tyre supplier.”
Seasoned F1 photographer Kym Illman revealed in the pre-race build-up that four teams, including McLaren and Red Bull, had also been impacted by the freight arrival issues in Shanghai. Illman shared on social media that “technical issues with aircraft out of Australia have led to significant delays in freight arriving into Shanghai for four teams.” He added that the freight is not anticipated to reach Shanghai until late Wednesday afternoon or early evening, running at least a day and a half behind the timetable. Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and Williams were identified as the teams affected by this delay.
This action-packed build-up to the Chinese GP has kept the FIA on its toes, with the organization also issuing a new Technical Directive related to flexi-wings that takes effect immediately.
