Formula 1 has been on vacation for two weeks and for the drivers to return to the track there is still another one left. The race in Spa-Francochamps, on July 30, was the last until the next August 27, when the championship will return to Zandvoort. The competition is in its usual summer break that every year leaves fans in suspense during the month of August. The holidays that many pursue throughout the year are obligatory in the great circus.
The Belgian GP marked the end of the first half of the season in which Red Bull he dominated without too much effort against his rivals. Nobody was able to snatch the victory in the 12 races that have been disputed to date. In this sense, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren (teams that are currently at the top of the table) they are turning their data around to see how they can catch up with the Austrians.
Everyone wants to improve their cars current. This rest period appears to be an attractive option to work on development, with the aim of coming back stronger for the second part of the season, but… Is it allowed to work on the car during the summer break? The answer is no. He article 21.8 of the Sports Regulations indicates that there must be a two-week period in August during which activities must stop.
Carlos Sainz during a pit stop
What are teams banned from?
Of the three weeks in which there is no race, the teams must stop for at least 14 days. Typically, teams choose to use the first week to analyze the results of the last Grand Prix before going on vacation. Then they rest for two weeks and the following they return to work like the rest of the race weeks of the season.
This affects only those employees who are involved in improving the performance of the carwho are usually the vast majority of those who work in factories. Engineers, team managers, drivers, employees who build the cars, design, develop and test the parts and the suppliers must stop their activity during those two weeks. The same goes for wind tunnels.in which work is not allowed during those 14 days.
What can they do in this time?
Employees who do not necessarily work on the car or who can directly or indirectly improve its performance may continue working during that time. This includes the financial, marketing and legal staff that he can remain active for the team during the summer break.
Alonso and Stroll pose with the staff at the new Silverstone frame factory
Besides, as an exception, it is allowed to work on broken or damaged carsbut for this you will have to request before permission to the FIA. In this sense, the changes that Aston Martin plans to include for the return from vacation They have been planned since before the break.
