Ferrari are adamant they have done nothing wrong amid the latest twist in the tyre-gate saga, which has hit the sport after it became apparent that Mercedes and Pirelli conducted a private 1,000km test.
The Italian team has been asked to provide answers to a list of questions submitted by the FIA, after they too conducted a test with Pirelli and could now face a separate investigation.
“The FIA has asked Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 and Scuderia Ferrari Team which have taken part in tyre tests in the 2013 season to reply to a disciplinary inquiry in pursuance of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules,” read a governing body statement.
“This follows the Stewards’ Report from the Monaco Grand Prix and represents supplementary information required by the FIA in the light of the replies received from Pirelli, who were asked for clarifications on Tuesday May 28th.”
Ferrari though insist their test is “irrelevant” as it was done with a 2011 car run by its Corse Clienti division, rather than the team itself, unlike Mercedes which ran the test using its current W04 and both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
“The situation is rather straightforward [and has been] from the moment that a [Mercedes] team broke what is a very clear regulation,” a spokesperson told Autosport.
“The fundamental question refers to the compliance with article 22 of the sporting regulations, which does not allow the use of a current or previous year’s car for any kind of testing carried out during the season.
“This is the only substantial aspect. Everything else is irrelevant detail.”
