what is parc ferme f1

Parc fermé is a French phrase that translates literally as "closed park" and refers to a secure area at a motor racing circuit where the cars are kept at certain times during a race meeting. In Formula One (F1), cars are put under "parc fermé conditions" from the time the cars exit the pits for qualifying until the start of the race formation lap. Under these conditions, only minor adjustments such as tyre changes, refuelling, bleeding of brakes, and minor front wing adjustments are allowed. As such, teams cannot make major set-up changes between qualifying and race day. Cars must be placed in parc fermé within three and a half hours from the end of qualifying until five hours before the start of the race formation lap. Essentially, cars in this area must not be touched by anyone without express permission of the FIA stewards. The area must be sufficiently large and secure so as to prevent unauthorized access to the cars, while allowing technical checks to take place. The checks include weight and dimensional measurements, which are carried out using laser technology, as well as equipment checks in which homologation labels are viewed to ensure parts are pre-tested and meet relevant standards.