Ferrari’s Pirelli test at Imola had sparked some controversy in the paddock: because the Scuderia used two different parts (two flat bottoms) on the cars of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. While the regulations prohibit the use of two components of different specifications, to avoid an unfair accumulation of data.
However, the FIA validated this test, since the original flat bottom would have been damaged during the session. The flat bottom of Carlos Sainz was not new to him, but would have already appeared in free or winter practice, earlier in the season.
End of the controversy? Not really.
Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, asked the FIA for more clarity and transparency: in particular to know which part can be used in Pirelli tests; and which part exactly Ferrari used in a second time with Carlos Sainz at Imola.
“The important thing is that we have full confidence in the FIA to control the sport, whether it’s a test or a race weekend. »
“But we also need full transparency. »
“It has been suggested, or at least I have heard, that it may have been an ancient flat bottom. Maybe it was. But what is important is that if it is, demonstrate it to the teams: give us the ability to have complete confidence that all of this has been appropriately controlled with full transparency. »
Zak Brown then refers to the case of the illegal Ferrari engine… a case settled in complete opacity by the FIA at the time. Something to raise the pressure.
“We had in the past, not long ago, an engine rule violation, and then there was a significant fine. We don’t know by how much, nor do we know exactly what was done. »
“I think in our time, full transparency will help the sport understand what happened, why it happened and what was done about it. »
The same request for transparency was made on the side of Laurent Rossi, the CEO of Alpine.
“I wouldn’t point the finger at anyone yet, because I don’t know the details, so it wouldn’t be fair. But at the end of the day, what we need is transparency. »
“We need to know if there was something wrong or not and, if so, what is the outcome? The most important thing is that we don’t need a veil. »
Toto Wolff calls for his part, at Mercedes, for a tightened control of the FIA on this kind of tests.
“The FIA just needs to be aware of these things and manage them well. A team should not use components in an environment where it should not. And I guess if the FIA weren’t 100% on this, I’m sure they will be now. »
Finally Christian Horner brought a little more reassuring voice for the FIA, assuring to trust the checks that have already been carried out.
“The FIA has confirmed that Ferrari used this flat bottom during pre-season testing, so it is compliant. »
“It’s up to the FIA to do this reasonable regulatory watch work, because what we certainly want to avoid…these cars are so immature, it’s still very early in the development phase, and we have to avoid that the tests of tires do not turn into aerodynamic or performance development tests. This is not the purpose of these tests. »