Doc 53 - Sprint Scrutineering

This document, issued by the FIA Formula One Technical Delegate Jo Bauer, details the technical checks performed before and after the Sprint session of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix.

Before the Sprint:

• Part Replacements (after 09:55 and before Sprint start):

  • Mercedes Car 12: LHS front wheel retention device replaced.

• Digital Scans and CAD Comparison:

  • Spare LHS front corners of cars 81 and 04 were scanned and compared with declared CAD drawings and previously submitted versions to ensure conformance with 2026 F1 Technical Regulations.

• Other Checks:

  • Clutch paddle linearity checks on car 05.
  • Fuel and engine oil samples taken from car 55 and analyzed during the Sprint.
  • Grid checks: All cars fitted with tyres, tyre heating blankets disconnected at the "5-Minutes" signal.
  • Tyre temperature checks (LHS & RHS front and rear) on cars 81, 01, 63, 12, 03, 44, 14, and 10.
  • Minimum tyre starting pressure checks (LHS & RHS front and rear) on all cars.

After the Sprint:

• Car Weighing: All participating cars were weighed.

• Aerodynamic Component and Bodywork Checks (Car 12):

  • Floor Body (Article C3.5.1)
  • Floor Foot (Article C3.5.2)
  • Floor Board (Article C3.5.5)
  • Floor Bib (Article C3.5.6)
  • Floor Leading Edge Device (Article C3.5.7)
  • Floor Corner (Article C3.5.10)
  • Nose (Article C3.7.1)
  • Forward Chassis (Article C3.7.2)
  • Mid Chassis (Article C3.7.3)
  • Roll Hoop (Article C3.7.4)
  • Mirror (Article C3.7.5)
  • Sidepod (Article C3.8.1)
  • Engine Cover (Article C3.8.2)
  • Tail (Article C3.9.1)
  • Front Wing Profiles (Article C3.10.1)
  • Front Wing Endplate body (Article C3.10.2)
  • Front Wing Outboard Footplate (Article C3.10.3)
  • Front Wing Inboard Footplate (Article C3.10.4)
  • Front Wing Endplate Diveplane (Article C3.10.5)
  • Front Wing Pylon (Article C3.10.7)
  • Rear Wing Profiles (Article C3.11.1)
  • Rear Wing Endplate Body (Article C3.11.2)

• General Checks (All Cars):

  • Fuel pressure during qualifying.
  • Engine cooling system pressure during qualifying.
  • Engine high rev limit bands.
  • Fuel flow meter calibration checksums.
  • Instantaneous and partial load fuel energy flow.
  • Fuel temperature.
  • Plenum temperature.
  • Engine intake air pressure.
  • Maximum turbocharger speed.
  • DC sensor code and calibration checksums.
  • DC sensor temperatures.
  • On-track ES state of charge.
  • ERS recharge limits.
  • Maximum MGU-K speed.
  • Session type confirmation.
  • Chassis FIA checksum for all Sprint participants.
  • Steering wheel checks.
  • No car exceeded 80 km/h when leaving the formation grid.
  • Aerodynamic oscillations metrics.
  • Tyre starting pressures during the Sprint.
  • Tyres used by all drivers during the Sprint.

• Fuel and Oil Analysis:

  • Fuel samples taken from cars 14 and 05 were analyzed by gas chromatography and found to be consistent with approved fuels.
  • Engine oil samples were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy and viscometry and found to be consistent with approved reference samples.

Conclusion: All car weights and checked items conformed to the 2026 FIA Formula One Technical Regulations.