The Audi F1 team have been fined for a bizarre technical breach after a literal 'cover-up' at the Mexican Grand Prix.

The German giants fell foul of the FIA's sporting regulations in the weirdest way when they undertook work on Brazilian star Gabriel Bortoleto's car at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Technical Delegate Jo Bauer alerted the stewards to the infringement when he revealed: "During FP2 the Audi Revolut F1 Team undertook some work on car number 05 in the battery pack area. By doing so, the team had put a soft cover just behind the front axle blocking the view onto the mechanics work.

"Furthermore the team carried a floor, completely covered, through the pit-lane out of the garage and back into the garage.

"As all these actions are not in compliance with Article B3.3 of the 2026 Formula One Regulations, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration."

What did Audi do wrong?

Now what is Article B3.3 you might ask, and therefore what did Audi do wrong here?

Well the article in question states: "Commencing twenty-nine (29) hours prior to the scheduled start of FP1, no screen, cover or other obstruction which in any way obscures any part of an F1 Car will be allowed at any time in the paddock, garages, Pit Lane or grid, unless it is clear any such covers are needed solely for mechanical reasons, which could, for example, include protecting against fire."

So in essence teams are not allowed to obscure or obstruct any part of their car from view during a race weekend, and Audi broke that rule.

FIA announces ruling, and a fine for Audi

The stewards met to discuss the matter, and fined the team €5,000, adding: "The Team Representative recognised the breach and explained that the principal reason for the infringement was the particular configuration of the garages allocated to the Competitor at this Event.

"The two garages used by the Competitor are separated by a garage occupied by other personnel. As a result, the floor had to be transported through an area visible to third parties, which led the Competitor to cover it while moving it between its two garages.

"While the Stewards acknowledge the particular circumstances explained by the Competitor, these do not constitute an exception to the requirements of Article B3.3.1. Furthermore, team personnel also obstructed the view of Car 5 using another sheet while mechanics were working underneath the car.

"The Stewards therefore determine that the Competitor was in breach of Article B3.3.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations."

Expensive day for Audi in Mexico City

The fine for that 'cover-up' added to what had already been an expensive day for the German team. They had earlier been fined €7,500 for allowing British rookie Freddie Slater's car to be released during FP1 with a cooling fan still attached to the intake of the right radiator.

Announcing the rule, the FIA statement read: "The Stewards heard from the team representative and reviewed video evidence. The team representative explained that on noticing that the cooling fan was still attached, he checked with his engineers to ascertain if it was safe to continue the lap and was advised by them that it was.

"The team then instructed the driver to pit, and it was confirmed the driver was unaware of the issue.

"Although the fan did not fall off the car (as was the case of a car in Australia this year) there was the possibility it could have. Accordingly a penalty similar to that applied to Car 12 in Australia, was applied."