Low tyre pressures not a factor for Ferrari's Jock Clear

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Amid speculation that some of Ferrari's rivals may be tampering with lower tyre pressures to gain a competitive advantage, Ferrari's Jock Clear has dismissed the suspicion.

The Scuderia's performance in qualifying has lagged recently compared to Mercedes and Red Bull, which has prompted speculation that the two outfits may have found a subtle way around Pirelli's mandatory tyre pressure limits.

"Lower pressures will give you more grip," the British engineer explained to German publication Auto Motor und Sport.

"But for one lap in qualifying, it is easier to keep the pressures in the window where you want them."

"We do not believe the stories that some teams can lower their tyre pressures significantly. Perhaps half a PSI, but not two. We think that's impossible.

"There's a lot of talk about smart solutions that get the heat out of the wheels, but they are all illegal. The FIA has confirmed that all the cars are legal and we have no reason to doubt that."

While Ferrari has yet to bridge the performance gap with Mercedes, Clear insists the relative difference has improved compared to last year.

"The gap to Mercedes is bigger than we had calculated, but it's smaller than the average of last season and the last race of 2015.

"That's the positive side. We are closing the gap to Mercedes, and we are sure that the two performance curves will overlap in the future. The only question is when."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.