Following a Pirelli test with 2023 tires in which Ferrari could be seen testing two different floors in its F1-75 , the FIA contacted the Maranello team to clear up all doubts and suspicions that this he had created in some of his rivals.
Charles Leclerc was at the wheel of the car in the morning with an older tread specification, while Carlos Sainz got into the car in the afternoon with a different tread, which could clearly be against the regulations.
Said rules state: “Cars in these tests must use parts of a specification that have been used in at least one (1) race or TCC [tests of current cars] during the current championship year. These cars must meet fully with the specifications of the technical regulation”.
And he adds: “The use of test parts, component changes or configuration modifications that provide any type of information to the team, as long as it is not related to tire testing, will not be allowed.”
“Changes to mechanical set-up, driver control modifications and component changes are allowed if agreed in advance with the tire supplier, as this data is necessary for the correct evaluation of the compounds or to complete the test. of tires”.
The flooring used by Sainz appeared to be an updated version that included a strap or brace below the floor, something that teams are looking into to see if it helps fix the porpoising issues, prompting doubts and suspicions.
This situation caused at least two teams to speak directly to the FIA for clarification on what had happened and if Ferrari had done anything that was against the rules.
After conversations between the FIA and the Italians in the run-up to the 2022 Miami Grand Prix to verify the components they had used, Motorsport.com has learned that the investigation has concluded and that the governing body is satisfied, assuming that in the rules were followed at all times.
Although there is still no official statement on the matter, it seems that the change of floor in the Ferrari F1-75 was caused by damage suffered in the morning session.
Apparently the FIA was able to verify that the background used on Sainz ‘s car for the afternoon was actually an older specification that had already been fitted to the car earlier in the year, thus fully compliant with the regulations.
