Ferrari rivals threaten legal

Image via @ScuderiaFerrari

Ferrari rivals threaten legal action over perceived cover-up

Ferrari and the FIA are in hot water with seven of the Formula 1 teams for what they see as a cover-up.

Ferrari rivals threaten legal

Image via @ScuderiaFerrari

Ferrari’s rivals, including Mercedes and Red Bull, have threatened the Scuderia and the FIA with legal action after the two agreed a “settlement” over last year’s engine controversy.

The FIA has yet to publicly state that the 2019 Ferrari engine was legal, or release any details about the agreement.

Ferrari reaches ‘settlement’ with FIA

Last year Ferrari’s power unit made headlines as rivals questioned its legality and Max Verstappen went as far as to use the word “cheating”.

The Italian outfit was believed to have manipulated the sensors that control the maximum speed of the fuel flow, thus exceeding the maximum and giving the SF90 a welcome power boost.

This led to the FIA’s technical department issuing two Technical Directives relating to fuel flow and, coincidentally Ferrari say, the Scuderia lost pace.

The Italian stable protested its innocence throughout the drama while the FIA had very little to say apart from the TDs.

Red Bull, however, warned that it would “definitely protest” this season if the legality of Ferrari’s engine once again becomes a hot topic.

It has, but not in the manner Red Bull nor anyone else thought it would play out.

Last week motorsport’s governing body announced that Ferrari was no longer under the spotlight over its power unit.

The FIA didn’t give a reason, just swept the matter under the carpet.

A statement read: “The FIA announces that, after thorough technical investigations, it has concluded its analysis of the operation of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 power unit and reached a settlement with the team. The specifics of the agreement will remain between the parties.

“The FIA and Scuderia Ferrari have agreed to a number of technical commitments that will improve the monitoring of all Formula 1 power units for forthcoming championship seasons as well as assist the FIA in other regulatory duties in Formula 1 and in its research activities on carbon emissions and sustainable fuels.”

Ferrari’s rivals demand ‘proper disclosure’

Immediately after the FIA statement there were rumblings in the corridors with rival teams said to be shocked by the FIA’s decision.

They were even more shocked that no explanation was forthcoming.

Left with questions about the legality of the 2019 Ferrari engine, and for that matter this year’s, rivals, including reigning World Champions Mercedes, have threatened to take the matter further if the FIA isn’t forthcoming with the details.

An open letter read: “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, Mercedes, Racing Point, Red Bull, Renault, AlphaTauri and Williams all signed the letter.

The possible ramifications

Ferrari and its two customer teams, Haas and Alfa Romeo, are the only three teams who didn’t sign – as to be expected.

During the initial investigation, the FIA confiscated engine parts from Ferrari.

Motorsport’s governing body not only took powertrain parts from the works team but also a newly-built engine from Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello as well as one supplied to Alfa Romeo.

If Ferrari’s engine was not legal, which one can surmise given that a settlement was reached, that means neither Haas nor Alfa Romeo’s power units were above board.

With rivals now threatening legal action that could have a massive impact on the championship, and the prize money.

The team that would benefit the most from penalties for Ferrari’s three teams would be Williams.

Bottom of the log in 2019, the Grove team earned the least. They could effectively move up three places if Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Haas are thrown out of the championship for running illegal engines.

Not a single lap done in anger in 2020 and already F1 is producing the drama.

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