FERRARI FURORE

Cheating claims could see team expelled for season

FERRARI could be thrown out of the world championship if an investigation into the legality of their car shows they have been cheating.

Formula One’s owners confirmed last night that the FIA, who regulate the sport, have installed a device to monitor Ferrari’s battery architecture — with rival teams suggesting the Italians are getting an illegal boost of extra power from their system.

That advantage would be especially important in one-lap qualifying, not least at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix when grid position is significant.

The FIA president Jean Todt, a former Ferrari team principal, is flying into Monaco today and no decision on his old team’s fate is likely to be announced prior to his arrival.

Mercedes F1 chairman Niki Lauda said: ‘Any race in which grey areas remain grey can alter the result. The FIA has to clarify these unanswered questions before Sunday.’

Ferrari privately deny they have done anything wrong. Publicly a spokesman only said: ‘We do not comment on speculation.’

Sportsmail understands that Sebastian Vettel, who is 17 points behind Lewis Hamilton, asked his team for reassurances that his car was legal and was satisfied with what he was told. Vettel said: ‘There are always rumours and this time they are about us. It is the FIA’s job to look after everyone. We trust them to do that. For us it is pretty straightforward: it is outside talk.’

If Ferrari have cheated they could be docked points, fined or even expelled from the world championship. One senior paddock figure privately expressed the view that the most extreme option should be pursued if the Italians have deliberately flouted the rules. ‘It is time for the FIA to show some backbone,’ said the source.

Formula One bosses said: ‘Ferrari are under the microscope with the governing body asking the team to run an extra piece of hardware that monitors their Energy Recovery System. The FIA will monitor the system in operation before analysing data and making any judgments.’

Suspicions were raised as Vettel took three successive poles early in the season — and by half a second in China. However, the German was only third fastest in practice yesterday, on this occasion half a second slower than the Red Bulls led by Daniel Ricciardo.

Hamilton was fourth quickest as he looks to claim his third career win in Monaco.