A number of F1 cars have gone missing just days before the start of the Chinese Grand Prix, according to reports. It has been a quick turnaround from last weekend’s race in Australia, with a huge amount of equipment making the 5,000-mile journey from Melbourne to Shanghai. However, disruptions to freight transport have reportedly caused havoc for several teams.
Four constructors have arrived in China to discover their cars are missing from the paddock, according to respected F1 photographer Kym Illman. It is said that Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin have all been impacted by ‘technical issues’ relating to transport out of Melbourne. As a result, a total of eight F1 cars are yet to arrive at the Shanghai International Circuit.
It means the four teams in question will have less than 48 hours to get themselves ready for Friday’s practice sessions. The cars are reportedly expected to arrive on Wednesday evening, but there is a chance that further delays will cause additional problems.
Many crew members are thought to be ‘sitting around in hotels’ as there is little point in going to the track until the missing cars turn up. Other teams will already be in the process of setting up, having received their cars without delay earlier this week.
The situation has prompted a response from the FIA, which has altered the curfew times on Wednesday night due to ‘logistical challenges’. All 10 teams will now face only a six-hour period when they cannot work on their cars, as opposed to the usual 11.5 hours.
The four affected teams will be desperately hoping the saga does not impact their chances of success in Shanghai. It will be a sprint weekend, meaning there will only be a single practice session before qualifying takes place on Friday evening.
Lando Norris is looking to record back-to-back wins on Sunday after drawing first blood at the Australian Grand Prix. He kept Max Verstappen at arm’s length to claim the spoils, with McLaren looking much quicker than any of their closest rivals.
They have not achieved victory in China for 14 years, though, with Verstappen cruising to a dominant win last season. Red Bull are working hard to unlock some extra pace for the Dutchman as he looks to deliver a repeat performance.
Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, will be determined to bounce back after a disappointing Ferrari debut in Australia. He finished 10th and was involved in several frosty radio exchanges with his new race engineer over the course of the 58 laps.
