F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Rival teams take aim at several details of Ferrari's SF71-H

On the back of Ferrari's successful start to its 2018 campaign, the team's SF71-H has attracted the suspicious eye of a few of its rivals.

With two wins since the season kicked off at Melbourne, the Scuderia's car has demonstrated its speed and efficiency, perhaps a bit too easily according to some.

Recently, the FIA's Nikolas Tombazis sent F1 teams a reminder of the governing body's position on exhaust blowing, while this week the FIA issued a new directive which closes a loop hole that allowed teams to enhance performance in qualifying by burning more fuel.

In both cases, it was rumored that Ferrari was perhaps the cause for the governing body's extra concern and monitoring, although the Italian outfit's SF71-H was deemed perfectly legal.

"The FIA examined the Ferrari in China and looked at drawings of the entire oil system," reported Auto Motor und Sport.

According to the German media outlet, Ferrari's main rivals are still picking on the red sqaud.

Red Bull is alleging that the specific shape of the car's rear view mirrors does not comply with the regulations, while Mercedes has expressed doubts about the clever design of Ferrari's 2018 battery cells, which may produce more than the allowed 4 mega-joules of energy.

"The topic could occupy Formula 1 in the coming weeks," said AMS correspondent Michael Schmidt.

"One possibility is that former Ferrari engine boss Lorenzo Sassi, who has been working for Mercedes since April, has been talking," mischievously added Schmidt.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Hamilton upbeat on Ferrari future: ‘The second half will be stronger’

Lewis Hamilton is heading into Formula 1’s summer break with a smile, renewed confidence and…

17 hours ago

McLaren wraps up pre-break running with Portimão test

McLaren made sure its engines did not fall silent quietly before Formula 1’s annual shutdown,…

18 hours ago

Ickx the Ringmeister conquers his final Grand Prix win

On this day in 1972, Jacky Ickx led home a Ferrari 1-2 at the German…

20 hours ago

McLaren gives rotating rear wing the green light for future races

McLaren’s latest technical gamble has emerged from Budapest carrying a powerful seal of approval from…

21 hours ago

Domenicali: Drivers may complain, but F1 must 'follow the fans'

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has delivered a pointed message to the paddock: drivers are…

22 hours ago

Aston Martin pays tribute to F1 paddock legend Mick ‘Biscuit’ Fern

The Aston Martin team is mourning the loss of one of motorsport’s most cherished figures…

23 hours ago