F1 is a relentless sport with no rest as development continues every day whether it's for the current season or next year. But, the FIA's sporting regulations dictate every team to shutdown their factory for 14 days in July or August. Everyone normally decides to do this during the summer break so every team member finally gets a rest before it all kicks off again with the Belgian Grand Prix towards the end of the month. "All Competitors must observe a shutdown period of fourteen (14) consecutive days during the months of July and / or August," states article 21.8 of the 2021 regulations. In this period, teams are not allowed to work on their cars' design, development or production, including planning via emails and meetings. Departments that do not directly affect the car, such as marketing, are also permitted to continue as normal within the rules. The majority of the factory, however, will be dormant for a fortnight. Here are some of the exceptions which are allowed during F1's shutdown. Repairs to a car that was badly damaged during the race before the shutdown. The FIA has to give permission for this Assembling and using older cars, but no production or maintenance on current parts The use of the wind tunnel for projects not related to F1 or maintenance of the wind tunnel and other facilities CDF simulations for projects that are not related to F1, or software upgrade Marketing As you can see, there is not a lot you can do. The time off is definitely needed though because there are 12 events to come in the space of less than four months including multiple triple-headers.
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