Williams F1 team fined for forgetting memory card during Chinese Grand Prix practice
Williams has been fined nearly $87,000 (€50,000) by F1 stewards for forgetting to put a memory card in on-board cameras during practice for the Chinese Grand Prix.
The team failed to capture mandatory vision because it believed the cameras would come pre-loaded with memory SD cards.
The majority of the fine — about $70,000 (€40,000) — was suspended.
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The FIA fitted all the cars with wireless forward and rearward facing cameras in China, with the governing body cracking down on rear wing flexing following the season-opener in Australia with a tougher static load test.
The Williams of Alex Albon during practice for the Chinese Grand Prix. Getty
Williams was meant to provide video files from the new camera within an hour of practice finishing, but no data was captured due to the empty SD slots.
"They (Williams) noticed during the middle of the session that there was a red flashing light in the cameras and reported that to the Technical Delegate," the stewards statement said.
"However, they did not know what the flashing light meant and, in any event, it was too late to fit the SD card(s) by then."
"There was no suggestion that the wings were not in compliance with the bodywork flexibility requirements under the Technical Regulations."
Williams said its internal procedures will be addressed and that all future recordings will be provided without issue.
“We understand that to ensure fair policing of technical regulations the FIA issued the resulting fine and we thank them for the constructive conversations and measured handling of this matter,” said a statement from Williams.
The team's drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will start Sunday evening's race from 10th and 15th respectively.
The race begins at 6pm (AEDT).
