Ferrari has refuted suggestions by rival Formula 1 teams that it should release the agreement that it reached with the FIA regarding its 2019 engine.
Rivals held theories that Ferrari had found a way of circumventing the fuel flow sensor, ostensibly allowing more power to be delivered, as it sought to understand its 2019 straight-line speed performance.
After a long analysis into Ferrari’s 2019-specification engine the FIA announced in February that it had reached a settlement with the team that would remain private.
It added that it had “agreed to a number of technical commitments that will improve the monitoring of all Formula 1 Power Units.”
The seven teams not powered by a Ferrari engine expressed “surprise and shock” and demanded full disclosure, hinting at legal action.
The matter was due to raise its head at the Australian Grand Prix but the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic before the situation could develop.
On Friday Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff expressed unhappiness with the situation and reiterated a desire for transparency.
In response Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto commented: “I think the answer is straightforward.
“There was no clear breach of regulations otherwise we would be been disqualified.
“The reason why we don’t want to open [it up] is because whatever we need to explain [involves] IP (Intellectual Propety), our project, our power unit and I think no-one in the paddock would be happy to release their design and project.
“It’s confidentiality. The IP is the intellectual property, and that is the reason why we are not keen to do it.”
On the situation Horner commented that “it does sit uncomfortably that there is an agreement that has been entered into about the legality and conformity of a car.
“That immediately draws you to think what is in that agreement, what does it comprise, as in my mind a car is either legal or illegal.
“The FIA said they’d be happy to disclose that document but they need the clearance from the other signatory.
“It does nothing but promote suspicions when there are private agreement about legality and conformity. The healthiest thing would be to put it on the table.”
Wolff confirmed that Mercedes recognised it was not the “opportune moment” to discuss the matter in March, due to the worsening coronavirus situation, but on Friday called for clarity.
“Transparency is extremely important, good governance is extremely importance,” said Wolff. “It may well have been good governance but if you don’t know it’s difficult to judge.
“We are monitoring the situation and we are not happy about last year, it has stretched all of us to a point to be competitive against Ferrari where it was difficult to cope.
“Therefore let’s wait and see how the season starts and gets going and we will then reassess for ourselves and the other guys where it stands.”
Discussion about this post