Insider’s guide to parc ferme: What exactly do you mean by parc ferme and what does it mean?
In F1 the teams continually push the limits (and trying to “flex” the rules) and the organization that governs them is the FIA is constantly trying to ensure that the rules are kept in place and ensure that everyone is fair.
One of the most crucial aspects of this procedure is conducting legality checks of the vehicles in parc ferme and restricting the teams to parc ferme conditions during the weekend. But what is this and how does it impact the teams?
The word parc ferme is a French expression that literally means “closed park. It typically refers to a secured area within the circuit, where vehicles are scrutinized by a team of inspectors for safety and legality.
The tests include dimensions and weight measurements that are conducted with laser technology and equipment tests where homologation labels are scrutinized to verify that parts have been pre-tested and conform to applicable standards.
In contemporary F1, parc ferme also refers to specific times of time over the Grand Prix weekend when the automobiles are stored in their garages, but they are in the view of a scrutineer, and teams are limited in what they are allowed to do.
What is the different of parc ferme and parc ferme conditions?
Parc ferme can be described as a closed area, supervised by FIA with restricted access for the teams. It is situated near one of the FIA garages, and is usually close to the podium, so that the top three finishers will be able to move to the awards ceremony following the race.
There is no work that can be performed on a car within this zone, however, three mechanics as well as the right equipment are required for shutting down system to keep the equipment cool, and assist the examiners during the process of checking.
However, when the cars are put within parc ferme conditions they could be on the track or inside the pit garages. Teams are able to contact them, however they’re only allowed to make modifications that are specified.
What happens when cars are required to be parked in parc ferme or placed under parc ferme conditions?
Teams are required to go to parc ferme or required to be working under parc ferme conditions many times during the weekend.
In the beginning of the weekend, every team scrutinizes its vehicle then declares that it is legal. However, to ensure they are honest The FIA requires minimum six vehicles for inspections on parc ferme after practice.
Teams are allowed to alter their cars however they like (within the regulations) all the way to the time of qualifying, however, once the green light turns green in Q1, the cars will be put in parc ferme conditions from then until the time of the race.
Any car that fails to get out of qualifying during the Q1 and Q2 rounds will be sent back to the garage of the team and is kept under parc ferme conditions and remain under the supervision of a steward at all times there is a team member present.
The cars that are running in Q3 have to go to an actual parc ferme after the session to ensure legality and safety. They then return to the garage by an inspection, this time in parc ferme conditions.
Following the event, class winners must be taken for parc ferme for legality and security check-ups. It takes between 1-2 hours or more, depending on the situation following which the cars will be released to teams. One vehicle will be selected randomly to stay to conduct a more thorough examination.
The risk of irregularities being able to be found and penalties being given means that the final outcome of the race isn’t decided and verified until long after the champagne has been spray.
What are the best ways to make parc ferme conditions work?
Prior to each car leaving the pit lane to begin qualifying, teams will give each FIA technical Delegate with a setup sheet. The exact setup they have to adhere to throughout qualifying and race.
Teams are allowed to do some maintenance tasks under parc ferme conditions, including the replacement of parts similar to ones they have, however they aren’t allowed to alter any component on the vehicle, or to alter the suspension configuration.
One scrutineer is designated to be with each car to ensure that there is no illegal work performed in parc ferme conditions. If the rules are violated the car has to begin the race in the pit track.
What can teams do in parc ferme conditions?
The FIA regulations provide more than 20 distinct tasks that could be performed to the vehicle in parc ferme conditions. Anything that is not listed requires written permission.
The engine can start, added fuel or removed, and a fuel breather is fitted, and spark plugs are removed to permit internal inspections of the engine and checks on compression of the cylinder. Storage devices for energy can be charged or released.
The brake system is able to be cleaned, oil from the engine can be drained, and compressed gases can be drained , or added, and other fluids may be replenished or drained in the event that the replacement fluid meets identical to the original.
Tyres, fasteners, and wheels can be taken off, replaced or rebalanced, and pressures of tyres are checked. The cooling or heating device can be added and a jump-battery can be connected so that the electronics can be accessed through physical connections.
The front wings can be adjusted with the existing parts, however no components are able to be added, removed or substituted. The bodywork can be removed, cosmetic changes are possible tape is also a possibility and any area of the vehicle can be cleaned.
Cameras onboard, marshalling systems , and timing transponders can be taken off or replaced, or even assessed. It is also possible to make changes to seats, mirrors, and pedals. The drink bottle can be filled to a maximum capacity of 1.5 Liters.
Anything that is removed to carry out the work or to conduct safety checks are to be kept near the car , in the sight of the scrutineer assigned to it. The entire system must be put back exactly as it was prior to when the car is removed from the pit track.
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What happens if your car was damaged?
The regulations allow the repair of accidents that have caused damage however how exactly the definition is somewhat hazy area.
Cars are usually required to be retouched after qualifying because the areas that are closest to the track, like the floor, diffuser , or the front wing can be damaged when hitting kerbs and debris. If a driver’s car is damaged off, it might take a lot more effort than the other drivers.
Teams need to submit an unwritten request in writing to FIA Technical Delegate, in which they can clearly specify any replacement parts they’ll need to install. They should be identical in appearance and design, and the same in weight, inertia, and functionality in comparison to the original.
Repairs have to be completed the same way as any other task performed under parc ferme conditions – in the presence of the designated examiner, and all of the parts removed are not retained by the FIA.
In urgent situations, such as mid-qualifying or in the grid, changes are permitted without prior written consent, provided that it is reasonable to believe permission will be granted and all parts taken away are scrutinized by the examiner.
What happens if you change the power unit or the gearbox?
Certain components must use for a specified time period before being replaced. Otherwise, the team could be penalized. The penalty is given regardless of regardless of whether the replacement was caused by the result of a crash, break-down or performance.
Gearboxes should be in use for at least 6 races prior to when they are able to be replaced. If a team must alter a gearbox prior to that the deadline, they risk penalties on their grid. If a team must modify the chassis, they’ll need to start from the pit the pit.
Power units are more complex since it’s divided into various components. Each driver can only use to use a specific amount of each part of the power unit throughout the season, however, they are able to change them at any time they wish.
They are permitted not more than three engines and three motor generator units-heat (MGU-H) 3 turbochargers and two energy stores. three control electronics, motor generator units-kinetic (MGU-K) and eight sets of exhaust systems.
If they exceed the number assigned to element that they use, they will be slapped with an extra grid penalty. It is 10 places in the first request for each component, 5 for the next and then a reverse of the grid’s start when more than 15 are totaled.
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What is the team’s use of engines being monitored?
The FIA secures seals on every component of a team’s power system before it is utilized in the very first instance. This makes the engine an entirely new one and guarantees there are no moving parts that could be replaced or rebuilt.
Seals are taken off when the engine is operating conditions. However, within two hours following the conclusion of the post-race parc ferme, all used components of the power unit are sealed to make sure they are not used or removed between races.
In the next time the power unit element will be employed at the next event, the FIA takes off the seals and all components must be kept inside the garage if they aren’t connected to a vehicle. They are not able to be turned on at any other time than on a participant vehicle.
When are teams able to work on their vehicles?
Teams are given three and a half hours following the conclusion of the qualifying period to repair their vehicles before having to rest for the remainder of the day. The cars are covered for the night and the FIA seals the cars to ensure that they’re not in any way touched.
In some instances teams may get approval from the Technical Director to keep a vehicle out for marketing reasons but no work may be carried out on it, and it has to be sealed and covered within two hours after the deadline.
On Sunday morning five an hour, 10 minutes ahead of the beginning on the lap of formation the covers and seals can be removed and teams are able to continue to work on them but in parc ferme conditions.
One hour before the race starts each team is updated on the work teams of the other teams have accomplished during the time of parc ferme conditions – which can be fascinating reading.
What happens when it rains?
Cars designed to run in dry conditions are unable to be driven in wet conditions and, therefore, if the weather is changing or appears more likely to shift, Race Control can declare an ‘change in the climactic conditions’ and ease conditions in the parc ferme conditions a little.
Teams may then alter the ducts for radiators and brakes to increase or decrease cooling, and also alter the pitot tubes utilized to measure. They may also alter the headrest that surrounds the driver’s head, since there are three different kinds that are suitable for three different temperatures.
In the event that the conditions are adequate to make it”a wet race”, teams may change their set of slick tyres that were allocated for the race , and then fit fully wets, or intermediate rain tires for the beginning.
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