Williams fined for onboard camera footage procedural error

The FIA has imposed a €50,000 fine on Williams Racing following the team’s failure to submit mandatory onboard camera footage within the required timeframe during a recent session.

The penalty was imposed on the basis of a procedural oversight involving the installation of SD cards in cameras designed to monitor the car’s front and rear wings.

However, €40,000 of the fine has been suspended until December 31, 2025, provided no further breaches occur.

The transgression, which occurred during Free Practice 1, violated Articles 12.2.1 i of the FIA regulations.

These rules, reinforced by Technical Directive TD034L issued on March 19, 2025, mandate that teams ensure onboard cameras are equipped with properly formatted and empty SD cards at least 10 minutes before any session begins.

The directive is part of the FIA’s efforts to enforce compliance with technical regulations, particularly regarding bodywork flexibility.

According to the FIA’s official statement, Williams mistakenly assumed the cameras came pre-fitted with SD cards supplied by the governing body. It wasn’t until mid-session, when a red flashing light appeared on the cameras, that the team realized something was amiss.

By then, it was too late to install the cards. The FIA noted that Williams failed to promptly report the issue to the Technical Delegate after the session, compounding the breach.

However, the FIA emphasized that there was no evidence suggesting the wings themselves violated technical standards.

Williams Responds and Resolves

Williams acknowledged the error in a team statement, attributing it to a “miscommunication” between themselves and the FIA.

“We had concerns over the cameras not working in FP1, and as a result were in dialogue with the FIA throughout the session,” the statement read.

“Following the session, the FIA and ourselves have reviewed all procedures, and we can confirm that the failure to provide footage in the allotted time was down to a miscommunication.”

The team has since committed to refining its internal processes to prevent future occurrences. The Grove-based outfit also clarified that the issue was purely procedural and unrelated to the legality of their car’s wings.

“We have no concerns over the legality of our wing. It is the same wing we ran in Melbourne, is fully compliant, and we did not have to make any adjustments further to the issuing of the new TD,” Williams stated.

The team successfully provided all requested footage during the Melbourne event and expressed confidence in meeting future deadlines.

• Read also: Williams to face Chinese GP stewards over flexi-wing footage delay

The FIA’s decision to suspend most of the fine reflects a collaborative resolution. Williams thanked the FIA for its “constructive conversations and measured handling” of the situation, underscoring the team’s commitment to supporting the governing body’s oversight of technical regulations.

While the fine serves as a reminder of the importance of procedural diligence, the incident appears to be an isolated misstep for Williams, with no lasting impact on their compliance record—provided they adhere to the rules moving forward.

For now, the team can shift its focus back to the track, with the bulk of the penalty deferred until the end of next year.

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