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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
When Ferrari‘s roar echoed across Austria, it sent a wave of anticipation rippling through the paddock. What was different this time was the palpable sense of anticipation that rippled through the paddock, a cocktail of curiosity and apprehension stirred by Ferrari’s strategic play.
The Prancing Horse had arrived, not just with their legendary mystique, but with an innovative game plan that had the paddock buzzing. Armed with fresh upgrades from Maranello and a new strategic play to shrink the gap with Red Bull, Ferrari had set the stage for a showdown that would turn the heads of both rivals and fans alike.
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Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – April 28, 2023 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc during qualifying REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
The plot thickens when one considers how Ferrari tested these new components. They opted to utilize the 62 miles permitted by the Federation during a filming day, a time typically allocated for sponsor-focused shoots and marketing activities. This sly maneuver, while within the rules, stirred a bubbling cauldron of discontent among rival teams, spilling over at the Red Bull Ring.
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The rival teams, while acknowledging the legality of Ferrari maneuvers, questioned their spirit. They pointed to Ferrari’s clever utilization of a Pirelli test to fine-tune the updates, a process typically reserved for tire tests and sponsor filming. This was followed by a filming day used to test the new parts destined for Spielberg.
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The rival teams voiced their concerns, arguing that while these activities may not be outright illegal, they blurred the lines of the “spirit of the regulations.”
Charles Leclerc and Co.’s Game of Rules and Interpretations
The German publication Auto, Motor und Sport clarified that Ferrari’s actions during the Pirelli test were perfectly legal. Each team is allowed to modify the setup, after consultation with Pirelli, if such changes can provide better information to the tire manufacturer. Similarly, regarding the filming day, the FIA remains unperturbed.
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Formula One F1 – Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia – April 2, 2023 Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. during the third red flag Pool via REUTERS/Simon Baker
The only restriction concerns comparison tests between different cars or parts. But opting for a single – albeit untested – configuration falls within the normative prescriptions. No team has lodged a complaint, so there’s no immediate need for an investigation.
In the racing world of high stakes, every tenth of a second counts, and teams will push the boundaries of rules and interpretations to gain a competitive edge. And while the rivals may cry foul, Ferrari’s strategy demonstrates an audacious interpretation of the rules. It is a testament to their relentless pursuit of performance, a battle cry that sends chills down their rivals’ spines.
Watch This Story | Is Carlos Sainz Looking to Move away from Ferrari?
As the F1 circus moves on, the question remains: will Ferrari’s bold strategy pay off? Or will it become another footnote in the annals of the sport’s intense rivalries?
