FIA must clarify Ferrari car legality - Lauda

Niki Lauda says the FIA must clear up the uncertainty about Ferrari's 2018 car.

Ferrari, Mercedes' key championship rival, heads into Monaco amid suggestions it is using more power than is allowed from its battery.


And Mercedes is also pressing the FIA to clarify whether the way Ferrari uses its turbocharger complies with the rules about oil consumption.

"There must be clarity before Monaco," F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman Lauda told Kronen Zeitung.

"These grey areas must be clearly defined, because it simply must be the same for everyone."

Monaco this weekend is the start of a particularly intense period on the calendar, with seven races in the space of just ten weeks.

"That's exactly why the teams need clarity now," Lauda added.

And he said there is a "danger" that Mercedes could be stranded behind not one but two rival teams this weekend.

"Red Bull and Ferrari are always closer on our heels. Here (at Monaco) a huge mechanical grip is needed. How it is, we'll only see in qualifying," said Lauda.

What needs clarifying? Parts you wanna copy? The car is legal, thats all you need to know, dear Lauda.

  • 2
  • May 23 2018 - 09:28

Replies (11)

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  • What needs clarifying? Parts you wanna copy? The car is legal, thats all you need to know, dear Lauda.

    • + 2
    • May 23 2018 - 09:28
    • Barron

      Posts: 625

      Yeah it’s legal at the moment but tomorrow? I suppose it’s all part of F1 gamesmanship but what I want to know is: how do they know (suspect) it isn’t legal? Rumour? Observation? A ‘spy’? Anyway Calle, are you prepared for war? Haha?

      • + 0
      • May 23 2018 - 11:02
    • Locked and loaded! :P But seriously, this is more of the political bollocking, so its business as usual. One team trying to outmaneuver a rival, by claiming the car isnt legal, and trying to get others to join it.

      • + 0
      • May 23 2018 - 19:00
  • Could they be using the oil to create a better seal and thus higher efficiency in the turbo? It could explain the smoke on start up. So it's not the engine burning the oil and that is why they can get away with it.

    • + 0
    • May 23 2018 - 11:28
  • wongrayw

    Posts: 17

    Ban it.........simple

    • + 0
    • May 23 2018 - 12:05
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Too many rules! Let the teams innovate and race ( but not on street courses).

    • + 1
    • May 23 2018 - 14:47
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    They had to change their engine to reduce oil burn rate . They can't believe Ferrari has out smarted them.

    • + 0
    • May 23 2018 - 16:07
  • ...and give this man an IQ Test.

    • + 0
    • May 23 2018 - 17:27
    • Although IQ tests are horrible measurements of intelligence. For reference, Mensa consistently scores mine at 121, and look at me... I dont even have skin!! And even less, a working brain.

      • + 0
      • May 23 2018 - 20:54
    • Barron

      Posts: 625

      I’m still in single figures ?

      • + 0
      • May 25 2018 - 10:07
    • And you are probably at the very least average in reality. IQ is for intelligence what PSA is for prostate cancer: A high value can indicate you are intelligent, but it doesnt necessarily need to mean you are bright just because of it.

      • + 0
      • May 25 2018 - 18:40

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