Saturday February 29, 2020
–
Did Ferrari find a gap in the rules or did something illegal in the past Formula 1 season? This is the question that concerns the competition and the world motorsport association Fia. The investigation is now complete – but a real answer is missing. Instead, there are only cryptic hints.
After the accusations of cheating against Ferrari in the past Formula 1 season, the international motorsport association Fia has officially completed its investigations – but largely keeps the result under wraps. As the Fia announced two weeks before the start of the season, the functioning of the suspiciously strong drive of the Scuderia was analyzed and then “an agreement was reached with the team”. However, it was agreed not to disclose details of this deal: “The details of this agreement remain between the parties.”
In addition, a number of “technical obligations” had been resolved to make it easier to “monitor the power units of all teams”. However, without becoming concrete what that means in terms of content. Ferrari, team of the only remaining German pilot Sebastian Vettel, will also “support” Fia, among other things, in research for lower CO2 emissions and sustainable fuels.
At least gray area in the regulations used
It can be assumed that Ferrari circumvented the regulations from the second half of the season by gaining an advantage in terms of drive and using at least one gray area. From the summer break, Ferrari benefited from a clear superiority on the straight.
Competitor Red Bull Racing, in particular, spoke publicly of tricks that could get more petrol into the engine than was permitted, and submitted an official request for gray areas in the regulations. The Fia then issued technical directives to make possible tricks official breaches of the rules. Following the Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, the association confiscated the Ferrari gasoline system, among other things, in order to investigate it in detail.
Already towards the end of last year Ferrari was suddenly slower again, also during the test drives in Barcelona in the past few days the Scuderia speed was missing on the straights. It is therefore quite possible that Ferrari had to change its engine concept at short notice and therefore start the season with a major, but also self-inflicted disadvantage.
– ,
