F1 teams suffer freight delays for Chinese GP

Several Formula 1 teams have had their freight delayed from Australia to China meaning preparations have been held up for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The FIA has stated that tyre supplier Pirelli did not have its freight at the Shanghai International Circuit on time, although the tyre manufacturer has received equipment in the pitlane on Wednesday.

At least four F1 teams – McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes and Aston Martin – have suffered freight delays after two flights from Melbourne to Shanghai were delayed by at least eight hours, so the teams did not receive their cargo until late Wednesday afternoon.

These teams were only able to unpack their freight in the pitlane and build their cars from 4pm local time onwards.

But the FIA and the teams do not have any concerns about cars getting ready for the first and only free practice session of the weekend and the governing body has allowed the teams to break the curfew if needed.

Mercedes freight

Photo by: Ronald Vording

Ordinarily, teams are given five-and-a-half hours to work on their cars on Wednesday, but that has been extended by half an hour due to the late arrival of Pirelli’s freight.

The first practice session is not expected to be at risk of delays, but teams will have to work overtime early in the season – and during a physically demanding double header with Australia.

“There are no worries about free practice, but these days will be some late nights for our mechanics,” a team member told Autosport.

“The only free practice session of the sprint weekend starts at 11:30 local time, which means teams still had a day-and-a-half to prepare for the opening session.”