Ferrari was one of four teams to take part in a tire test with Pirelli in the days after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to help the development of the 2023 compounds, but it has come to light that the Italians’ rivals have questioned if your F1-75 fully complied with the regulations.
This is due to the selection of the different floors during his only test day, and it is that in the morning images with Charles Leclerc a different background can be seen from that of Carlos Sainz Jr. in the afternoon.
Formula 1 tire testing regulations are quite strict in limiting what teams are allowed, and those present noted that in the afternoon session Ferrari had a new specification of the soil.
Article 10.8 of the recently revised F1 Sporting Regulations sets out the requirements for teams as to what parts they can use and what is prohibited from new experimental items.
This section reads as follows: “Cars in these events must only use components of a specification that has been used in at least one (1) race or TCC [current single-seater events] during the current championship year. These cars must meet fully comply with the provisions of the Technical Regulation”.
“No test parts, component changes or set-up modifications that give any type of information to the competitor that is not related to tire testing will be allowed,” the article continues.
“Mechanical set-up modifications, driver and component changes are allowed if previously agreed with the tire supplier, which are necessary for the correct evaluation of the tires or to complete the tire test.”
For this reason, the legality of Ferrari’s day at Imola is questioned among its rivals, and it seems that the version they tested with Leclerc was the one that was present at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The uncertainty is about Sainz’s piece, since it is unknown if it has been put on the track before.
To comply with the regulations, those from Maranello would have had to use components in one of the two pre-season tests if they had not used them in the race.
However, one aspect that may come into play is what exactly the definition of “components” means in the rulebook when it comes to modified skins. Ferrari have refused to reveal full details about where and when they mounted Sainz’s floor earlier, but remain adamant that they duly complied with the norm.
Motorsport.com is aware that two teams have contacted the FIA to verify the legality of Ferrari, but others are looking into the situation. The sources have indicated that the governing body is in talks with those from Maranello to ensure that they complied with the regulations.
Ferrari’s actions in the test come at a time when teams are pushing hard to develop their soils and try to eliminate porpoising .
Ferrari’s new background, which is at the center of the debate, features a revised lip, ditching the McLaren-style wing it appropriated earlier in the season.
It also features an underfloor mounted tie rod similar to Red Bull’s, which is seen as a key component in preventing cars from bouncing.
