McLaren, Renault given curfew break after F1 oil delay

McLaren and Renault have both been let off after breaking curfew overnight due to a delay in receiving oil for their Formula 1 engines ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix race weekend.

A delay for supplier Castrol in transporting its oils to Japan was caused by a typhoon in the area, before a hold up at customs in Tokyo left the teams uncertain whether they would receive the goods in time.

While McLaren and Renault did receive the oils in time to feature in practice on Friday at Suzuka, the FIA stewards confirmed both teams had broken the overnight curfew on car team personnel working in the paddock.

This was Renault’s first curfew break of the season, while it marked McLaren’s second and final permitted break after the team previously used one at Hockenheim.

However, in a later bulletin issued by the FIA stewards, it was confirmed that both teams would not have their curfew breaks counted towards their allowance as it was caused by factors outside of their control.

“The Stewards, having received information from McLaren F1 Team in relation to the team personnel who are associated with the running of the cars being within the confines of the circuit during the curfew period, as detailed in document 6, decide that in accordance with Article 11.9.1 read with 11.9.2a of the FIA International Sporting Code, and having regard to the fact that this was due to circumstances outside the control of the team, that this should not count as one of the two individual exemptions permitted during the 2018 Formula One championship,” the stewards’ report confirms.

As a result, Renault still has both of its curfew 'jokers' available for the remainder of the season, while McLaren will have one available for the remaining races.