Three Formula One teams, including Mercedes, have broken the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix curfew.

Together with Ferrari and Aston Martin, Mercedes has violated the F1 circuit curfew by remaining ‘inside the limits’ of the Abu Dhabi track after the FIA’s allowed deadline.

During weekends race, teams are not allowed to work on their cars at the track during the Formula One Circuit Curfew in order to provide enough rest for team members.

The number of hours F1 team personnel worked on race weekends was cut for this season.

The permitted curfews were cut in half during the first limited period (Wednesday) and the second restricted period (Thursday), from eight to four and six to three, respectively. A further reduction is scheduled for 2024. On Fridays, the third restricted session began one hour earlier.

Curfew breakers escape punishment

Each season, as they compete for second place in the constructors’ championship heading into a pivotal grand prix.The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix curfew is in effect from 10 p.m. to 11.30 a.m. local time, in the midst of the season’s exhausting conclusion for 2023.

However, team personnel from Mercedes, Ferrari, and Aston Martin disregarded the curfew on Friday by remaining at the Yas Marina Circuit past 10 p.m.

Mercedes and Ferrari appear to have taken advantage of the fact that modifications are allowed after the specified curfew time for two races

All three teams are exempt from punishment because this is just the second time they have broken the curfew.