Williams F1 has been fined after missing crucial rear wing footage, sparking questions over technical compliance and internal communication mishaps.
Williams F1 has been hit with a €50,000 fine—€40,000 of which is suspended—for failing to provide the FIA with required footage of its rear wing during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.
Ahead of the event, the FIA introduced a new technical directive mandating all teams to supply front and rear-facing camera footage after each track session. These videos are used to monitor rear wing flex at high speeds, ensuring all cars comply with aerodynamic regulations.
Williams, however, didn’t deliver the footage. The reason? A mix-up over SD cards. The team reportedly believed the FIA would provide the memory cards for the cameras and only realized after the session began that none were installed—meaning no footage was captured.
FIA stewards made it clear there was no indication the wing itself breached any rules. The fine was issued solely for the failure to deliver the required footage.
Williams Owns Wing Error
In a statement, Williams accepted the penalty and maintained full confidence in the legality of its rear wing design.
“We noticed the cameras weren’t recording during FP1 and stayed in constant communication with the FIA,” the team said. “After the session, we reviewed the process together and confirmed the issue stemmed from a miscommunication. We’re now updating our internal protocols to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
They added that the same wing was used in Melbourne, where all requested footage was provided without issue.
“We’ve had no need to make any changes to our wing following the new technical directive. The problem was procedural, not technical, and we’re confident all future footage will be submitted correctly.”
Williams also acknowledged the FIA’s handling of the matter.
“We understand the FIA’s responsibility to uphold fair application of the rules. We appreciate their balanced and constructive approach throughout.”
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Rear wing row: Williams hit with FIA video penalty
Rear wing row: Williams hit with FIA video penalty
