Williams Racing faces a fine of nearly $87,000 (€50,000) after a mishap during practice for the Chinese Grand Prix, where the team failed to insert memory cards into their onboard cameras. This oversight resulted in the absence of mandatory video footage, as the team mistakenly assumed the cameras would already contain SD cards.
Of the total fine, approximately $70,000 (€40,000) has been suspended. This incident has gained attention as the FIA, the sport’s governing body, has equipped all cars with wireless cameras, coinciding with a heightened scrutiny on rear wing compliance following the season opener in Australia.
During practice, Williams was required to submit video files from the new camera setup within an hour of the session’s conclusion. However, due to the missing SD cards, no data was recorded. Midway through the session, the team noticed a red flashing light on the cameras, indicating a problem, but by that point, it was too late to resolve the issue.
The stewards clarified that despite this mistake, there was no implication that the team’s rear wings were not adhering to the regulations concerning bodywork flexibility. In response to the incident, Williams has pledged to revise its internal protocols to ensure future compliance with recording requirements. The team expressed gratitude to the FIA for its constructive handling of the situation, acknowledging the need for fair enforcement of technical regulations.
Drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will commence the race from positions 10th and 15th, respectively, with the race scheduled to start on Sunday evening at 6pm AEDT.