Formula 1 is once again at the centre of controversy because of Ferrari’s SF-25. Red Bull claims that Ferrari’s rear wing could be taking advantage of a loophole in the FIA regulations to gain an aerodynamic advantage that would be considered illegal. With good reason, the Red Bull team has denounced the FIA (International Automobile Federation) for the existing situation and they have drawn up a report on the situation and opened an official file which, if no clear arguments are presented in its defense, could end in sanctions being imposed.
Ferrari in the spotlight
The Formula 1 season has only just begun and it has already sparked off the most heated controversy. The FIA is carrying out a series of regulatory adjustments focused on safety and transparency, and Red Bull, for its part, has threatened with direct accusations against the management of the Maranello team. It is clear that the focus of the controversy is on the SF-25, Ferrari’s single-seater, and more specifically on the rear, where there could be a grey area in the regulations that could allow for the recovery of aerodynamic performance.
For some time now, cars have been looking for new ways to be faster despite the established rules, but Red Bull has brought the suspicion to the FIA to check the flexibility of the SF-25’s structure to give it a deceptive advantage on the track, which has led the Federation to open a formal investigation and open a file before starting the championship.
Regulation changes
The FIA has made changes to the regulations for the season. One of the most significant changes is related to the application of sanctions during the race. Therefore, from this year, the race director, Rui Marques, will be able to immediately order the arrest of a car that presents evident structural damage that could compromise safety.
Similarly, the guidelines for starting from the pit lane have been changed. Previously, teams could take advantage of the odd loophole to gain an advantage in a strategic section, such as the choice of tires for wet conditions, while the rest of the grid already had to race with the compounds that were imposed on them. This first change in the rules for next season is precisely aimed at reducing competitive inequality and applying the rules more uniformly.
In addition to these regulatory changes, the FIA’s investigation into Ferrari’s rear wing has already placed the Italian team in the spotlight, and not just in the run-up to the first race of the championship.
Ferrari’s response
Ferrari is in the eye of the storm after Red Bull accused the Italian team of an alleged breach of the rules. To the point that the FIA is going to send inspectors to the Maranello and Woking factories before the Chinese Grand Prix (they would have already been sent) to check if there are any irregularities in the designs of the SF-25 and the RB19; the Italian team, on the other hand, is maintaining a strong and confident stance, assuring that their SF-25 complies with the Federation’s regulations. Despite pressure from the energy drink manufacturers, Ferrari is confident that the official verifications will back them up and serve to strengthen their image in the fight for victory.
As the world championship has only just started, the controversy over the legality of the SF-25 is still open; the conclusion of this matter may influence the course of the season and will set the precedent for new interpretations of the regulations and the technical development of F1. It must be remembered that the fight for the world car title is decided not only on the track, but also in the FIA’s offices.