Williams chief explains team's 'third car' issue as FIA hands out double penalty

27 September 2023 , 17:53

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Williams team principal James Vowles explained what triggered the FIA's punishment (Image: Williams Racing)

James Vowles revealed Logan Sargeant was punished before the start of the Japanese Grand Prix because of two parts fitted to his team's spare chassis.

The American had crashed in qualifying the previous day, leaving the team with a lengthy repair job. Williams had begun to build up the spare chassis in case it was required.

F1 regulations, however, limit how many parts can be put onto a spare chassis before it is classes as a 'third car' – prohibited by the rules. And it was this rule that the team ended up flouting.

Sargeant was already facing a pit-lane start for setup changes made under parc ferme conditions. So, once FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer had reported the issue to the stewards, they decided that an additional 10-second time penalty was appropriate.

Team principal Vowles has now revealed exactly what triggered the punishment. In a new video released by the team, he explained that there has been a "miscommunication" between staff as they rushed to get Sargeant's car ready for the race in a limited time window.

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"Many years ago, we'd often have three fully-working cars, but that isn't a very intelligent way of using finances," he said. "Over time, we've migrated to a chassis just being in the box. So, fundamentally, we have three chassis available – chassis damage happens – but it would be completely stripped and bare.

"Over the last few years, we've adapted those regulations to actually be allowed to add certain items to it, just to make sure it minimises the turnaround time should that chassis be required.

"There was a very short period of time to rebuild the car between the accident and the race. The car has to go back effectively under covers and we send everyone home.

"In the morning, as a team, we made a list of what work had to be carried out and everyone came in early, around about 6am or so. We're aware of the regulation and it's simply a mistake, it's a miscommunication – ultimately, because as a group we were very keen to make sure we hit the timelines required.

"But, as a result of that, there were two items put on the car that shouldn't have been put on the car at that time of day. It has to be done five hours before the race and it was done a little bit early."

Daniel Moxon