F1 teams vent fury at Ferrari

Seven Formula One teams cosigned a statement yesterday opposing a confidential settlement between Ferrari and governing body FIA following an investigation into the team’s engine last season.

McLaren, Mercedes, Racing Point, Red Bull, Renault, Alpha Tauri and Williams released an identical statement. They want ‘‘full and proper disclosure’’ over the months-long investigation, adding ‘‘we reserve our rights to seek legal redress, within the FIA’s due process and before the competent courts’’.

Besides Ferrari, two other teams did not sign the letter. Both Haas and Alfa Romeo use Ferrari engines.

The FIA said last week it had concluded ‘‘a thorough technical investigation’’ into Ferrari’s 2019 engine and ‘‘reached a settlement’’ with the team regarding whether its engine had exceed its maximum permitted fuel flow or not, which is against the rules.

Questions were raised by teams and drivers as to whether the car’s fuel-flow meter was bypassing the regulatory amount of 100kmh. They argued this may have been influencing Ferrari’s notably superior speed on long straights, and its run of six straight pole positions.

Teams are not allowed to top up their power by increasing fuel flow beyond the stipulated amount, and must get boosts by energy saving elsewhere on the car. No details of the investigation into Ferrari were given.

The season-opening Australian Grand Prix is in Melbourne on March 15.