F1 News
Leclerc calls for public to "trust the FIA" on Ferrari investigation
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has called for the public to trust the FIA over their investigation and settlement with the team over last year's engine, with seven teams openly criticising the FIA for the secrecy of the settlement.
On the afternoon of the final day of testing in Barcelona, the FIA released a statement in which they revealed the investigation into Ferrari had concluded with a private settlement.
With a lot of questions regarding the legality of Ferrari's engine, the FIA's statement sparked anger throughout the paddock as it did not confirm or deny whether the power unit was deemed illegal.
Leclerc, who concluded his first year at the Italian works team with two wins and seven pole positions, has stuck his neck out for the FIA and his employer, sympathising with the decision to keep the details of the investigation secret.
"I fully trust my team, that's for sure," the 22-year-old told Motorsport.com. "I trust the FIA for making sure everything was OK. For me, it's done. I look to the future.
"They should trust the FIA for doing their work.
"I think it's completely understandable that they don't explain absolutely everything because there is a lot of work also for us on all the parts.
"If you make all of this public, then you make all the work that the team has done public. This is, for me, understandable."