Parc Fermé

Race winner Max Verstappen celebrates in parc ferme following the 2022 F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas

Parc Fermé is a term used in Formula 1 racing that refers to a designated area in which the cars and equipment of teams are kept under strict supervision and conditions after qualifying and the race. The term "Parc Fermé" is French for "closed park" or "closed area", reflecting the fact that access to the cars is restricted to authorized personnel only.

The Parc Fermé rules are set by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the governing body of Formula 1 racing. Once a car enters the Parc Fermé, teams are not allowed to make any changes to the car's setup or make any repairs. The only exception is if a team is given permission by the FIA to make changes to fix a problem that was caused by a technical issue or race incident.

The purpose of the Parc Fermé rules is to ensure that all cars are in the same condition for the race as they were during qualifying. This ensures a fair and level playing field for all teams and drivers. In addition, the Parc Fermé rules also help to prevent teams from making illegal modifications to their cars or from gaining an unfair advantage.

During the race, the cars are kept in Parc Fermé until the end of the race. Once the race is finished, the cars are inspected by FIA officials to ensure that they comply with the rules and regulations of Formula 1 racing.

In summary, Parc Fermé is a term used in Formula 1 racing that refers to the designated area where the cars and equipment of teams are kept under strict supervision and conditions after qualifying and the race. The purpose of the Parc Fermé rules is to ensure a fair and level playing field for all teams and drivers by ensuring that all cars are in the same condition for the race as they were during qualifying.