Williams are at risk of being disqualified from China’s Sprint Qualifying session. The British team are currently being investigated by the stewards for not complying with the technical regulations.
Heading into this weekend, there has been immense scrutiny on the issue of flexible rear wings.
The focus has generally been on the likes of McLaren and Ferrari in this regard. However, it is Williams who have been referred to the stewards for failing to provide the FIA with camera footage within the mandated time limit.
Why Williams are under investigation
As reported previously on LWOS, the FIA have implemented a new technical directive this weekend.
These new regulatory requirements have been been introduced to address the emergence of ‘flexi-wings’ in the opening races of the season.
The Chinese GP is the first time that the FIA’s stricter measures are being implemented, before further restrictions are imposed at the upcoming Japanese GP.
Crucially, though, this was not the first action taken to monitor this increasingly contested area of development.
Prior to the first round in Australia, the FIA mandated that teams implemented new camera angles in the rear wing area – to allow for closer monitoring of this component.
It was actually the footage from this new angles that prompted such swift action regarding the latest flexi-wing clampdown.
Williams failed to provide the FIA with the footage from their rearward facing cameras in the allotted time after Free Practice.
Because of this, the Grove-based operation are at risk of being sanctioned for non-compliance with the regulations.
21.03.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day.
Official FIA Statement
This is the latest report from FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer:
“The Atlassian Williams Racing team failed to provide the video files recorded by the wireless forward and rearward facing cameras within one hour after the end of the first free practice session, as described in the procedure “Additional Diagnostic” of the Technical Directive TD034L.
“The video files recorded by these cameras are used to monitor compliance with the first paragraph of Article 3.2.2 and furthermore as referred to in Article 3.15.16 of the 2025 Formula One Technical Regulations.
“As this is not in compliance with Article 1.6 of the 2025 Formula One Technical Regulations, I am
referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”
21.03.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Sprint Qualifying Day.
A final verdict on this issue can be expected int he coming hours. The stewards are now evaluating the situation and reviewing the explanation Williams provide.
In the case of a technical infringement, as seen with Russell at last year’s Belgian GP, a disqualification is likely.
When teams are found to have broken the technical regulations, whether intentionally or not, there is very little wriggle-room for justification.
On this issue specifically, the last few months have made clear the FIA want to send a message.
Following the controversy that emerged regarding McLaren’s rear wings in Baku, the FIA want to prevent this from becoming a recurring issue in 2025.
Williams, like all teams, are required to provide footage of their rear cameras to ensure compliance with the regulations. Failure to do so will likely only create one result.
