In a rather peculiar turn of events, the Williams team has found itself in hot water with the stewards of the Chinese Grand Prix. The issue at hand? A failure to comply with regulations set by the FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, regarding the submission of video footage to monitor wing flexibility.
The FIA has been tightening its belt in recent times, cracking down on the issue of flexible bodywork in Formula 1 cars. A measure to combat this was the introduction of both forward and rear-facing onboard cameras. These cameras serve the purpose of keeping an eye on wing flexibility, with teams required to submit the recorded footage after each racing session.
However, it seems Williams dropped the ball after the initial practice session in China. Jo Bauer, the technical delegate for Formula 1, has stated that Williams did not adhere to the directive to submit the captured video files. The team failed to provide the footage from the wireless forward and rear-facing cameras within an hour of the conclusion of the first free practice session. Non-compliance with this mandate, known as technical directive 34L, has led to the team’s referral to the stewards.
This directive isn’t just bureaucratic red tape; it plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the sport. The footage in question is instrumental in helping the FIA keep tabs on the issue of rear wing flexing. This has been one of the significant talking points in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
In fact, the monitoring of wing flexibility during the Australian Grand Prix led to an immediate revision in the technical regulations. The permissible limit for the rear wing slot gap flexing was slashed from 2mm to a mere 0.5mm, with an additional 0.25mm tolerance allowed exclusively for the China race.
The ball is now in the court of the stewards. They will deliberate on whether there is sufficient cause to initiate an investigation into Williams’ breach. Further action, if deemed necessary, will follow.
Meanwhile, on the track, Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz bagged the ninth and thirteenth spots, respectively, in the qualifiers for the China sprint race. The team will no doubt hope this off-track controversy won’t overshadow their on-track performance.