Michael Ferner wrote: ↑2 years ago
I still don't understand: if it
is a parc fermé situation, how are they allowed to repair the car, and if it isn't, why on earth is there no "warm-up" practice session???
In parc ferme my understanding is that Teams are permitted to complete repairs on the car under parc ferme conditions, but must replace all parts with those of the same specification. They get 31/2 hours to place the car in parc ferme after qualifying, but from what I believe parc ferme conditions start at the end of Q1. There is a list of allowed work.
In terms of crash repairs only parts of the same specification can be used and it must be authorised by the FIA. How that affects say for instance if Leclerc's car last weekend was fitted with a one off updated wing that needed replacing and therefore a direct equivalent was not available I am not sure.
Here is the section regarding Parc Ferme from the FIA Sporting Regs.
34) PRE-RACE PARC FERMÉ
34.1 Every team must provide the FIA technical delegate with a suspension set-up sheet for both of
their cars before each of them leaves the pit lane for the first time during qualifying practice
session.
34.2 Each car will be deemed to be in parc fermé from the time at which it leaves the pit lane for the
first time during qualifying practice until the start of the race. Any car which fails to leave the pit
lane during qualifying practice will be deemed to be in parc fermé at the end of Q1.
Between these times, other than when cars are sealed overnight in accordance with 34.4 below,
the following work may be carried out:
a) Engines may be started.
b) Fuel may be added or removed and a fuel breather fitted.
c) Wheels, wheel fasteners and tyres may be removed, changed or rebalanced and tyre
pressures checked.
d) Spark plugs may be removed in order to carry out an internal engine inspection and
cylinder compression checks.
e) Permitted heating or cooling devices may be fitted.
f) A jump battery may be connected and on board electrical units may be freely accessed
via a physical connection to the car.
g) Charging and / or discharging of the ERS energy storage devices.
h) The brake system may be bled.
i) Engine oil may be drained.
j) Compressed gases may be drained or added.
2020 F1 Sporting Regulations 28/71 7 April 2020
©2020 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Issue 6
k) Fluids may be drained and/or replenished, however, fluids used for replenishment must
conform to the same specification as the original fluid.
l) The aerodynamic set up of the front wing may be adjusted using the existing parts. No
parts may be added, removed or replaced.
m) If the FIA technical delegate is satisfied that changes in climatic conditions necessitate
alterations to the specification of a car, changes may be made to the air ducts around the
front and rear brakes and radiator ducts. These changes may be made at any time after
all teams have been sent the message “CHANGE IN CLIMATIC CONDITIONS” via the official
messaging system. From this point onwards the choice of air ducts around the front and
rear brakes and radiator ducts is free and pitot tubes may be covered or uncovered,
subject always to compliance with the relevant Technical Regulations.
n) Bodywork (excluding radiators) may be removed and/or cleaned.
o) Cosmetic changes may be made to the bodywork and tape may be added.
p) Any part of the car may be cleaned.
q) On board cameras, marshalling system components, timing transponders and any
associated equipment may be removed, refitted or checked.
r) Any work required by the FIA technical delegate.
s) Changes to improve the driver's comfort. In this context anything other than the
adjustment of mirrors, seat belts and pedals may only be carried out with the specific
permission of the FIA technical delegate.
Should ambient temperature change significantly, teams will be requested to change the
head padding required by Article 14.6.1-6 of the Technical Regulations via the official
messaging system.
The addition or removal of padding (or similar material) is also permitted but may only be
carried out under supervision and, if required by the FIA technical delegate, must be
removed before the post-race weighing procedure.
t) Drinking fluid for the driver may be added at any time, however, the capacity of the
container for any such fluid must not exceed 1.5 litres.
u) Repair of genuine accident damage.
v) Any parts which are removed from the car in order to carry out any work specifically
permitted above, or any parts removed to carry out essential safety checks, must remain
close to it and, at all times, be visible to the scrutineer assigned to the relevant car.
Furthermore, any parts removed from the car in order to carry out any such work must
be refitted before the car leaves the pit lane.
Any work not listed above may only be undertaken with the approval of the FIA technical
delegate following a written request from the team concerned. It must be clear that any
replacement part a team wishes to fit is the same in design and similar in mass, inertia and
function to the original. Any parts removed will be retained by the FIA.
However, if a team wishes to change a part during the qualifying session, between
reconnaissance laps and/or on the grid before the start of the race, this may be done without
first seeking the permission of the technical delegate, provided it is reasonable for the relevant
team to believe permission would be given if there was time to ask and the broken or damaged
part remains in full view of the scrutineer assigned to the car at all times.
34.3 At the end of the qualifying practice at least six cars will be chosen at random to undergo further
checks, once informed their car has been selected the team concerned must take the car to the
parc fermé immediately.
34.4 Within three and a half hours of the end of the qualifying practice session all cars used during
the session (or which were intended for use but failed to leave the pit lane) must be covered
and ready for FIA seals to be applied in order to ensure that they remain secure until the
2020 F1 Sporting Regulations 29/71 7 April 2020
©2020 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Issue 6
following day. For marketing purposes this deadline may be extended for one car from each
competitor for a maximum of two hours by prior arrangement with the FIA technical delegate.
However, no work of any kind may be carried out on the car any later than three and a half hours
after the end of the qualifying practice session.
Whilst cars are covered overnight they may be fitted with devices to keep them warm.
34.5 Five hours and 10 minutes before the start of the formation lap the seals and covers may be
removed but the cars will remain under parc fermé conditions until the start of the race.
34.6 A competitor may not modify any part on the car or make changes to the set-up of the
suspension whilst the car is being held under parc fermé conditions. In the case of a breach of
this Article the relevant driver must start the race from the pit lane and follow the procedures
laid out in Article 36.2.
In order that the scrutineers may be completely satisfied that no alterations have been made to
the suspension systems or aerodynamic configuration of the car (with the exception of the front
wing) whilst in pre-race parc fermé, it must be clear from physical inspection that changes
cannot be made without the use of tools.
34.7 One scrutineer will be allocated to each car for the purpose of ensuring that no unauthorised
work is carried out whilst cars are being held under parc fermé conditions.
34.8 A list of parts replaced with the specific agreement of the FIA technical delegate whilst cars are
being held under parc fermé conditions will be published and distributed to all teams prior to
the race.
34.9 The mass of oil contained in each oil tank, with the exception of the main oil tank, must be
declared to the FIA one hour before the start of the race.
https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files ... -04-07.pdf
