The controversy surrounding Ferrari has arisen in the run-up to the Miami Grand Prix. McLaren asked the FIA for an investigation into the soil used by Carlos Sainz in the Imola tire test.
The first controversy of the season is already here and has had ferrari as the main protagonist. Although this time the cause of it was not his rival team for the world title, Red Bull, but McLaren.
The team based in Woking has asked the FIA to clarify whether the ground used by Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari F1-75 with which he participated in the Imola tire test complies with the regulations currently in force.
“Component changes are allowed if agreed in advance with the tire supplier”
This test, in which Ferrari participated at the request of Pirelli Together with other teams, it was intended to develop the 2023 tires. Therefore, no part can be used on them that has not been used in a previous Grand Prix or official test.
While Charles Leclerc used a floor previously assembled in the competition, the one that Ferrari installed in the F1-75 driven by Carlos Sainz has not yet debuted in it this year. However, some technical analysts have noted that the floor, with a Red Bull Racing-inspired design, does was tested in the pre-season test held in Bahrain.
The FIA must clarify the situation
Specifically, article 10.8 of the Formula 1 sporting regulations specifies that “Cars participating in these tests must only use components of a specification that has been used in at least one race or TCC (current car test) during the current championship year. These cars must fully comply with the provisions of the technical regulations.”
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“Test parts, component changes or configuration changes that provide any type of information to the competitor that is not related to tire testing will not be allowed. Mechanical setup changes, pilot control changes and component changes if agreed in advance with the tire supplier that are necessary for the correct evaluation of the tires or to complete the tire test”.
Therefore, while it was clear that Ferrari used a previously tested floor in the pre-season test, clarification was pending if said part change with respect to the specification initially used by Leclerc was previously agreed with Pirelli.
Finally, the FIA has determined that damage to the floor used in Leclerc’s car made it necessary to change the part. And, having been used before, complies with current regulations. Case closed.
Updated news on May 6, 2022 at 9:24 p.m.
Source: motorsport.com