Update | FIA gives Ferrari green light after investigation 'illegal' parts
F1 News
- GPblog.com
The FIA wants clarification from Ferrari about used parts during the Pirelli tyre test in Imola. Rival teams are said to have raised questions about the legality of the floor, of which the Italian racing stable is said to have tried out - against the rules - a new specification.
FIA investigates Ferrari after tyre test Imola
According to the Italian branch of Motorsport.com McLaren would have sent a letter to the FIA asking for clarification on the floor Carlos Sainz drove during the test in Imola. This would not have been used before and that is contrary to the rules of the FIA, which state that experimental parts may not be driven during such test days.
Footage shows that Charles Leclerc took to the track in the morning session with the same floor as during the race weekend, but that Sainz was in action in the afternoon session with a different floor. Ferrari says it is convinced that it acted 100 percent in accordance with the rules, but rival teams seem unconvinced.
The rules read as follows: "Cars may only use in these tests parts with a specification that have been used in at least one race or TCC [official test] in the current championship year. These cars must fully comply with the provisions of the Technical Regulations."
Is Ferrari trying to solve porpoising during Pirelli test?
It is further specified that no test parts, component changes or set-up changes will be allowed that provide any kind of information unrelated to the tyre test. This is only allowed if it is agreed in advance with Pirelli that the changes are necessary for the proper evaluation of the tyres, or to complete the tyre test.
Red Bull Racing is also said to be following the matter closely, although the team has not yet commented. Ferrari's action comes at a time when the F1-75 is still struggling with porpoising, so testing a new floor that might solve this problem could have major consequences.
Update | FIA gives Ferrari green light
The Race has now reported that Ferrari has received the green light from the FIA for using different floors during the tyre test in Imola. The investigation was completed after it was reported that Ferrari changed the floor due to damage. The floor used by Sainz in the afternoon turned out to be an older specification that had already been used earlier in the year, so they did not break the rules.