FIA drags Ferrari into tyre test investigations

The FIA into the tyre tests conducted by Mercedes with Pirelli has now dragged in Ferrari as well. Both Mercedes and Ferrari have been called on to reply to a disciplinary inquiry regarding the issue.

Mercedes was caught up in controversy when it was reported that they had done a tyre test with Pirelli using a 2013 car after the Barcelona GP. Though Ferrari and Red Bull were at the forefront of the protests against the test, in a surprising turn of events, Ferrari has also been asked to supply information of a Pirelli test its Corse Clienti division took part in, using a 2011 car at Barcelona.

Following the protests that were lodged in Monaco by his team, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domencali admitted that it was his understanding that cars from the current and previous year could not be used.

It was initially thought that using a 2011 car was within the Sporting Regulations, but the FIA issued a statement on Friday night saying it was investigating both tests.

Article 22.1 states: “Track testing shall be considered any track running time not part of an event undertaken by a competitor entered in the championship, using cars which conform substantially with the current Formula One technical regulations in addition to those from the previous or subsequent year.”

Source: ESPN F1