F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Lauda takes aims at Ferrari legality - wants FIA clarity asap!

Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda reiterated once again his demand for clarity on the part of the FIA with regard to the legality of Ferrari's SF71-H.

In addition to suspicions centered around the car's excessive oil consumption, which the governing body partly addressed this week by closing another loophole related to oil usage in a power unit's pressure charging system, the Scuderia has also been suspected of exploiting a sophisticated ploy to generate more energy from its battery.

The FIA's delay in addressing the various issues and its lack of clarity on the matters has unnerved Mercedes, and Lauda.

"There must be clarity before Monaco," the F1 legend told Kronen Zeitung.

"These grey areas must be clearly defined, because it simply must be the same for everyone."

Monaco this weekend marks the start of a particularly intense period for F1 teams, with a schedule of seven races within the next ten weeks.

"That's exactly why the teams need clarity now," insists Lauda, who also isn't all that confident about the Silver Arrows chances in the Principality.

"Red Bull and Ferrari are always closer on our heels. Here (at Monaco) a huge mechanical grip is needed. How it is, we'll only see in qualifying," said Lauda.

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Michael Delaney

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