MAY 25, 2018

FIA monitoring Ferrari over cheat rumours

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

Sebastian Vettel, Monaco GP 2018
© The Cahier Archive

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.

(GMM)