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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.
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
59 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (10)
Login to replycalle.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.
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.
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.
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 :)
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! :)
Sirhenry
Posts: 759
There is an indication that Ferrari is moving in the grey zone....
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.
f1ski
Posts: 726
I agree. MB ratted ferrari out last year too.
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.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think it summarizes politics in general pretty well.