Parc fermé is a rule that limits car changes during a race weekend. Once it starts, teams can’t freely tweak the car setup — it locks things in and raises the stakes.
What is parc fermé?
“Parc fermé” means closed park in French. It’s a strict set of rules that lock down the car’s setup after qualifying starts — or earlier on Sprint weekends.
When do parc fermé rules start?
- Normal weekends: at the start of qualifying on Saturday
- Sprint weekends: at the start of Sprint qualifying (Saturday morning)
From that moment, teams can’t make major changes without penalty.
What changes are allowed under parc fermé?
Very few. Only minor things like:
- Front wing angle
- Brake cooling adjustments
- Tyre changes (within allowed sets)
Anything bigger (suspension, gearbox, ride height) is not allowed.
What if a team breaks parc fermé?
They must start from the pit lane. That’s the default penalty.
Can cars be reconfigured between Sprint and the Grand Prix?
No — not unless the FIA grants permission. The car setup used for the Sprint must be used again on Sunday.
Why does parc fermé exist?
To stop teams from building special “qualifying-only” cars. It forces compromise: the same setup must work in both qualifying and the race.
Are exceptions ever made?
Yes — in case of damage or safety issues, the FIA may allow repairs. But teams must ask first and may still face penalties.
