As Formula 1 gears up for the Chinese Grand Prix, a major logistical nightmare has hit the paddock. Just days before the action kicks off at the Shanghai Audi International Circuit, four teams—McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin—are reportedly missing their race cars due to freight delays.
The frantic turnaround between last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix and this race has already posed a challenge, but unexpected transport disruptions have made things even more complicated.
What Went Wrong?
Following the rain-soaked Australian Grand Prix, where McLaren’s Lando Norris secured victory ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell, teams quickly packed up their equipment to be air-freighted to China. Normally, the freight would arrive by Monday night or early Tuesday, giving teams sufficient time for setup and preparations.
However, according to journalist Kym Illman, unforeseen technical issues have led to significant delays in getting the cars and crucial equipment to Shanghai. The missing gear is expected to arrive late on March 19—leaving teams with only a short window before free practice begins on Friday, March 21.
Impact on the Teams
With their cars yet to arrive, team personnel are left with little to do. Mechanics, engineers, and support staff are reportedly idling in hotels, waiting for the green light to begin their preparations. Illman noted:
“Many teams may be impacted by this delay, and it’s unclear whether all cars will be ready in time for Friday’s practice session. The lost time could severely affect setup work and race strategy.”
Sprint Race Adds to the Pressure
The situation is made even more urgent by this weekend’s sprint format, which means that qualifying will take place on Friday instead of Saturday. With limited time to fine-tune their setups, teams could be forced into a high-pressure scramble to get their cars race-ready.
If the freight delay continues to cause disruptions, teams could face serious performance setbacks—potentially shaking up the competitive order in Shanghai. With McLaren’s recent rise in form and Red Bull’s struggles in tyre management, this unexpected twist adds yet another layer of intrigue to an already unpredictable season.
