 "F1 teams face major setback as eight cars go missing ahead of Chinese Grand Prix, FIA makes big change")
A major logistical issue has disrupted preparations for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, as several Formula 1 teams have reportedly arrived in Shanghai to find their cars missing. According to F1 photographer Kym Illman, freight transport disruptions following the Australian Grand Prix have caused chaos, with four teams, Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin, yet to receive their race cars at the Shanghai International Circuit.
Major logistical disruption hits Chinese Grand Prix preparations
The delay stems from ‘technical issues’ in transporting equipment from last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, resulting in a total of eight missing F1 cars. This setback leaves the affected teams with less than 48 hours to prepare for the first practice session on Friday. The delay could significantly impact the teams’ ability to fine-tune their setups ahead of the race weekend.
“I think many of the other teams may also be impacted by this. There is doubt that some of the F1 teams will have their cars ready for free practice on Friday. It’s going to be very tight as to whether or not teams will have their cars," Illman said in a video on YouTube.
“The gear is normally packed up at the track on a Sunday night and then air freighted to the next destination, that is Shanghai. Technical issues have ended up causing these big delays; normally, the freight would arrive maybe late on a Monday night but certainly on Tuesday morning - that gives teams three or four days to have their cars ready for free practice," he added.
“Teams were told it [their cars] won’t arrive until 4-5pm today (March 19). Effectively, they’ve had some 30+ hours wiped out of their preparation time. A lot of the crew are sitting around in hotels just enjoying a day off because there’s no point going to the track if you haven’t got the car. There is no guarantee that gear will be there this afternoon," he concluded.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIn response to the logistical issue, the FIA has adjusted curfew regulations, shortening the mandatory rest period from 11.5 hours to six hours to allow teams more time to work on their cars once they arrive. The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on 23 March at 12:30 PM IST. Meanwhile, Lando Norris of McLaren won the Australian Grand Prix with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen coming second and George Russell of Mercedes finishing third.
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