Williams F1 Team Fined €50,000 for Onboard Camera Blunder at Chinese GP
The penalty, with €40,000 suspended, was issued after the team mistakenly assumed the FIA-supplied cameras came pre-loaded with SD memory cards.
The Williams Formula 1 team has been slapped with a €50,000 ($54,000) fine by stewards at the Chinese Grand Prix for failing to record onboard video during Friday’s practice session, a breach stemming from a communication mix-up.
The penalty, with €40,000 suspended, was issued after the team mistakenly assumed the FIA-supplied cameras came pre-loaded with SD memory cards.
The FIA had equipped all cars with wireless forward- and rear-facing cameras for the Shanghai event, intensifying scrutiny on rear wing flexibility following new static load tests introduced after the Australian GP. Williams was required to submit footage within an hour of practice but delivered nothing due to empty SD slots.
“Mid-session, they noticed a red flashing light on the cameras and reported it, but didn’t understand its meaning and couldn’t rectify it in time,” the stewards’ statement noted.
No evidence suggested Williams’ wings violated flexibility rules, making the lapse procedural rather than competitive. The team acknowledged the error, promising to overhaul internal processes to ensure compliance in future sessions. “We appreciate the FIA’s fair approach and constructive dialogue in handling this,” Williams stated.
The fine underscores the FIA’s push for technical transparency, vital for policing regulations amid F1’s high-stakes competition. For Williams, battling to regain form in 2025, the incident is a costly reminder to tighten operational rigor as they prepare for Sunday’s race at the Shanghai International Circuit.
