Eight F1 cars missing before Chinese Grand Prix

Eight Formula 1 cars went missing ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, causing significant delays for four teams. Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin had cargo freight issues as their equipment was delayed coming from Australia. This meant their cars did not arrive with the other six teams for the race this weekend. Many crew members from the affected teams spent Wednesday waiting in hotels since they could not work at the track. Fortunately, the missing cars were located in the evening, which helped avoid a bigger problem for Friday's practice sessions. One team employee mentioned that while there were no worries for free practice, their mechanics would have some long nights ahead. In response to the situation, the FIA decided to change curfew rules in the paddock. Normally, teams have 11.5 hours where they cannot work on their cars, but this was reduced to six hours for this event only. The FIA stated that this decision was due to the logistical challenges caused by the freight delays. Additionally, the FIA is addressing a separate issue related to "mini-DRS" technology, which has been a point of contention for Red Bull recently. Sergio Perez, who left Red Bull, may return to F1 with Cadillac, which aims to compete in the series next year. Discussions about a potential seat for him have taken place. Cadillac is also considering other drivers like Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen as they plan their team for 2026.