<< Return to the news list

FIA monitoring Ferrari over cheat rumours

Published on 25 May 2018 14:42
10
By: Jeroen Jonkers

The legality of Ferrari's 2018 car remains under the spotlight.

There are suspicions not only about the amount of oil consumed by the turbocharger, but also whether Ferrari is cleverly getting around the rule limiting battery power.

Rumours in Monaco suggest the FIA is monitoring the car at Monaco this weekend with additional hardware, and also that new energy management software may be in use for a similar purpose.

"There have been rumours that people are cottoning onto," Red Bull boss Christian Horner said.

"I'm sure the FIA has all the competence to be able to measure, administer and look at the car that's presented for scrutinising during a grand prix weekend and it is the team's obligation to ensure that happens," he added.

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel insisted he is not worried.

"I trust the team and the Federation," said the German.

"For us, the situation is extremely clear. There is more talk about this in the paddock than inside the team."

But Niki Lauda, the Mercedes team chairman, said there is not yet full clarity.

"These grey zones are very important," he told Osterreich newspaper. "Does Ferrari drive with two batteries? Is the turbocharger part of the engine or can you do what you want with the oil?

"Nobody says Ferrari is cheating, we just want to know if we can do the same," he added.

F1 News Sebastian Vettel Ferrari Mercedes

Replies (10)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
They have over the entire weekend, and no indications of cheating so far. So either they are playing it green, and Mercedes are loud crybabies, or they are just better at cheating than the rest.
- + 0
- May 25 2018 - 16:36
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  If there was nothing to investigate FIA would have left them alone. I like that they're doing this. I expect no less from team fighting it out. It won't harm Ferrari. When the investigation is done though, everyone gets to shut up about it and it should be clear. If they continue after that, I will agree with you.
  + 0
  
  May 25 2018 - 18:46
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Nah, it wont, and mostly I feel this is the FIA's way to make sure that there is no doubts left and no beefs to make. I dont mind this at all. But unfortunately it will just continue, knowing F1 and the politics involved in it.
  + 0
  
  May 25 2018 - 22:30
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  I understand. I'd still categorize this under "harmless politics." The kind that make F1 what it is. Now there are other kinds of politics that do give me ulcers... like revenue distribution, the lack of progress in changes in regulation to improve racing, the way the halo was hastily introduced probably to avoid lawsuits, and a hosts of other bullshit that thankfully is now gone because Bernie is gone. I just grinned while writing that last sentence :)
  + 0
  
  May 25 2018 - 23:11
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, but I'd probably prefer to have less of it. A certain amount of politics can spice things up, but more than that and it easily becomes pointless nagging. If I want that, I'll just switch on the tv and watch some political debate (and since its election year here in Sweden, that aint exactly scarce). I'll admit Im still mixed about the halo though, but it seems like it potentially avoided a fatal accident for just some days ago, assuming the incident were as bad as the driver claimed (but as usual, the 23 y.o. and demented me forgot which incident and drivers it were, so go figure). Still better than anything that tiny corrupting old psychophant would make up... Yes it is quite stress relieving to make fun of the old git! :)
  + 0
  
  May 25 2018 - 23:38
Sirhenry

Posts: 759
There is an indication that Ferrari is moving in the grey zone....
- + 0
- May 26 2018 - 08:03
reg

Posts: 162
After years of Mercedes cheating by burning oil, then unnecessarily changing changing several engines so they could use old cheat engines till the end of last season, after last years mid-season ban isn't cheating, but Ferrari managing to equal/exceed the Mercs HP/driveability is cheating!!
What utter bo....x.
- + 0
- May 26 2018 - 08:20
- f1ski
  
  Posts: 726
  I agree. MB ratted ferrari out last year too.
  + 0
  
  May 28 2018 - 03:20
michielhimself

Posts: 132
"or they are just better at cheating than the rest." -> You've just summarised Italian politics since the overthrow of Mussolini, perfectly.
- + 0
- May 26 2018 - 12:14
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I think it summarizes politics in general pretty well.
  + 0
  
  May 26 2018 - 21:05