The Ferrari is once again in the sights of the FIA. After the controversial double disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix, the governing body of Formula 1 has once again subjected the SF-25 to inspection in Japan. After being disqualified for technical irregularities in Shanghai, checks carried out in Suzuka have confirmed that the Prancing Horse cars are within the regulations in force. All this, however, in the face of the repetition of checks that have already aroused the suspicions of fans.
Ferrari under the FIA’s microscope after the Chinese GP
After the Shanghai race, the FIA randomly selected two cars from the top ten to undergo additional technical checks. To the surprise of many, the chosen ones were the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, despite the fact that both had already been disqualified for irregularities detected in the initial verification.
The inspections focused on compliance with Technical Directive TD022, which regulates pit stop systems and procedures. Despite the controversy generated by the exclusion of the cars from the classification, the FIA determined that the SF-25s were within the regulatory parameters in this respect. However, the repetition of these checks on Ferrari has generated suspicions about a possible tightening of supervision towards the Italian team.
Suzuka confirms the legality of the Ferraris
The FIA officially announced from the Japanese circuit of Suzuka that no additional anomalies were found in the Ferraris corresponding to the Chinese GP after the technical verifications were carried out. In other words, the pit control systems and the revised parameters complied with the technical regulations of Formula 1.
This announcement was made official at the Japanese circuit and on the website of the International Federation. Although there is no reason for Ferrari to be sanctioned, the feeling is that the team has been in the spotlight of the stewards, something that has upset the team members and the tiffosi.
Persecution or routine checks?
Technical verifications are part of the standard protocol of the FIA after each Grand Prix, but the insistence on reviewing Ferrari’s cars in two consecutive races has raised suspicions. In China, Leclerc’s SF-25 was disqualified for weighing less than the minimum allowed, while Hamilton’s car was excluded due to excessive wear of the skid block, exceeding the 1 mm limit allowed on the flat-bottomed wooden board.
However, beyond the anomalies of the SF-25 in Shanghai, what can be demonstrated is that Ferrari tried to deliberately circumvent the regulations. On the other hand, the FIA maintains that its process of selecting cars for inspection is random and that established procedures are followed. In any case, the F1 community is still unsure as to whether these checks are a simple coincidence or whether there is a strict control over the Maranello team behind them.
Ferrari must guarantee that its cars comply with every aspect of the technical regulations to avoid incurring new controversial episodes. The fight for the championship is very close, so that an eventual sanction could be decisive in deciding the race for the championship.