F1 teams ‘shocked’ by Ferrari, FIA engine settlement, want disclosure
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Craig Slater has the latest on the row involving Formula One team Ferrari, after the Italian constructor reached a private settlement with the FIA over an investigation into their 2019 engine.
Seven F1 teams have released a critical joint statement saying they “strongly object” to the FIA reaching a private settlement with Ferrari regarding their 2019 engine.
The FIA announced last week that they had made a settlement with the famous Italian team after long-running technical investigations into their power unit, which was the subject of much speculation last season due to Ferrari’s straight-line speed.
Details of the agreement were kept private but the governing FIA said both parties had agreed to “a number of technical commitments”.
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The other F1 teams not powered by Ferrari engines – Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Renault, Alpha Tauri, Racing Point and Williams – have now joined forces to say they were “shocked” by that report and want “full and proper disclosure” from the FIA.
“We, the undersigned teams, were surprised and shocked by the FIA’s statement of Friday 28 February regarding the conclusion of its investigation into the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Power Unit,” a statement read.
“After months of investigations that were undertaken by the FIA only following queries raised by other teams, we strongly object to the FIA reaching a confidential settlement agreement with Ferrari to conclude this matter.
“Therefore, we hereby state publicly our shared commitment to pursue full and proper disclosure in this matter, to ensure that our sport treats all competitors fairly and equally. We do so on behalf of the fans, the participants and the stakeholders of Formula 1.”
They added that they would seek legal redress before the competent courts.
The 2020 season starts on March 13-15 with the Australian GP, live on Sky Sports F1.
What’s the story with Ferrari’s engine?
Ferrari’s engine was the class of the field in 2019, so much so that they were often gaining half a second over their closest rivals on the straights in qualifying.
Although Ferrari still didn’t challenge for the title, Mercedes and Red Bull were particularly irked about how they were achieving that advantage – but never made a formal protest.
Ferrari denied anything untoward, and their engine was regularly checked by the FIA. A number of new technical directives were issued last season, tightening fuel-flow rules, but we heard nothing more regarding the Ferrari engine.
Until the final Friday of winter testing.
In a statement released in the evening of that final day, the FIA said that, after thorough analysis into the PU, they had reached a private settlement with Ferrari and that the Scuderia would “assist the FIA in other regulatory duties in Formula 1 and in its research activities on carbon emissions and sustainable fuels.”
Rival teams, not including the Ferrari-powered Haas and Alfa Romeo, saw that statement and have decided to launch a formal protest on the eve of the new season – which Ferrari start with a new package focusing on cornering rather than straight-line speed.
Rival F1 teams’ statement in full
“We, the undersigned teams, were surprised and shocked by the FIA’s statement of Friday 28 February regarding the conclusion of its investigation into the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Power Unit.
“An international sporting regulator has the responsibility to act with the highest standards of governance, integrity and transparency.
“After months of investigations that were undertaken by the FIA only following queries raised by other teams, we strongly object to the FIA reaching a confidential settlement agreement with Ferrari to conclude this matter.
“Therefore, we hereby state publicly our shared commitment to pursue full and proper disclosure in this matter, to ensure that our sport treats all competitors fairly and equally. We do so on behalf of the fans, the participants and the stakeholders of Formula One.
“In addition, we reserve our rights to seek legal redress, within the FIA’s due process and before the competent courts.
“McLaren Racing Limited
Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited
Racing Point UK Limited
Red Bull Racing Limited
Renault Sport Racing Limited
Scuderia Alpha Tauri S.p.A.
Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited”
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