What is allowed and not allowed during the summer break in Formula 1?

We are about halfway through the summer break of the 2023 Formula 1 season. Many drivers are enjoying a little holiday and the teams have to (partially) put their work down. What can and cannot F1 teams do during the summer break?

How long is the (compulsory) summer break?

In 2023, the summer break will last 25 days, from Monday 31 July to 25 August when the first free practice session starts at Zandvoort. Of these 25 days, F1 teams' factories must compulsorily close for 14 days, consecutively. The most obvious thing to do then would be in the 'middle' two weeks of the summer break. 

This is what teams are not allowed to do during the F1 summer break

There are a lot of things Formula 1 teams are not allowed to do during the mandatory 14-day 'shut-down'. For example, teams are not even allowed to book flights or hotels for the next races. They are also not allowed to arrange other activities around the upcoming Grands Prix. Furthermore, it is of course forbidden to improve or even work on the bolides. Using wind tunnel time or CFD is therefore strictly prohibited. Moreover, even third parties to an F1 team are not allowed to perform tasks for the team in question.

Still, F1 teams can do some things

So a lot seems to be banned during the mandatory factory closure, but there are of course some things that Formula 1 teams are still allowed to do. For instance, they are allowed to maintain and renovate buildings. Painting the walls, varnishing the wooden floor and replacing the window frames is absolutely no problem, according to the FIA. Teams are still allowed to do some wind tunnel work during the summer break, the crucial part for car development is allowed to be maintained. The wind tunnel may also be used for projects not related to Formula 1.