Two racing teams have made representations to the rule-keepers of the world autosport association to inquire about a possible violation of the rules by Ferrari – at the Pirelli test in Imola.
Trouble for Ferrari: As part of the Pirelli tests following the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the Italians are said to have had two different underbodies on the car. Only parts that have already been in use may be used for tire tests. This is to prevent the racing teams from misusing the tire test to explore Evo parts. As a reminder, apart from the test drives for Pirelli and film days, there are no tests during the season, new parts have to be tried out at the race weekend.
Two racing teams asked the FIA whether Ferrari had followed the rules in the test. In any case, pictures show that World Cup leader Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were not on the same ground. The FIA is currently investigating the matter.
Monegasque Charles Leclerc got in the mood for the GP weekend in Florida with the Miami Marlins, he threw a few balls with the American baseball stars. The tentative attempts showed that every beginning is difficult. Leclerc grins: “Throwing was okay, but catching was difficult!”
The Ferrari driver should not succeed on the green of LoanDepot Park in Little Havana, home stadium of the Marlins, but on the asphalt strip of the new Miami International Autodrome, at the Hard Rock Stadium of the Miami Dolphins (American Football).
The four-time GP winner likes the relaxed atmosphere in Miami and had a police officer explain his spectacular bike to him on Friday morning. He even asked for a souvenir picture with the bike in the background – the officer turned photographer.
Charles says about the coming weekend: “I can’t wait to get on the track. We have a good car that should be quick here too. I’m sure – if we do everything right, we have a chance of winning against Red Bull Racing.”
Leclerc cannot afford to make many driving mistakes like in Imola against Max Verstappen. Charles says: “If you’re in midfield, then it’s not all that noticeable, but if you’re in the lead in the World Cup, then yes. In Imola I sensed a chance to finish second, but I overdid it and ended up in the wall and lost valuable points. I’ve learned my lesson, but there’s no point in beating a situation down either. At some point you have to look ahead.”
