Brendan Lines

March 3, 2020

Tonight a collective of seven Formula 1 constructors have put the sport’s governing body the FIA on notice in a public statement saying the teams will pursue full disclosure of the settlement made between the FIA and Ferrari, over the legality of Ferrari’s 2019 power-unit last Friday.

Ferrari Principal Mattia Binotto flanked by Mercedes Principal Toto Wolff (Left) McLaren CEO Zak Brown (Right) and Renault Principal Cyril Abiteboul (Far right) – Image F1.com

In the closing minutes of last week’s testing period at Circuit de Barcelona- Catalunya, the FIA announced it had reached a settlement concluding an investigation into the Italian manufacturer.

The FIA’s statement said: ‘The specifics of the agreement will remain between the parties,’ Yet the statement stopped short confirming wether Ferrari had actually cheated.

Suspicions were raised by rival teams claiming Ferrari was exceeding maximum fuel flow from manipulating fuel flow sensors to give false low readings. Though Ferrari had sought clarifications of technical directives in 2019.

The statement undersigned by the teams reads:

“After months of investigations that were undertaken by the FIA only following queries raised by other teams, we strongly object to the FIA reaching a confidential settlement agreement with Ferrari to conclude this matter.”

The teams posted their statement publicly in a coordinated effort, calling out the FIA for more fairer and equal treatment of the sport’s competitors.

Interestingly, Ferrari’s engine customers the Haas F1 Team and Alfa Romeo did not sign the statement, which includes the reigning Constructor’s World Champions Mercedes as a signatory.

The opening round of the 2020 season will be overshadowed by the demons of last season, as this will be the first time all the concerned parties will speak and meet publicly since the shock settlement went off like a grenade in Barcelona.

The Australian Grand Prix kicks off in Melbourne next week March 12-15th.