Feb.13 (GMM) Ferrari sporting director Diego Ioverno has refused to be drawn straight into the escalating Mercedes engine debate, because the FIA pushes to resolve the compression controversy earlier than Melbourne.
With speak intensifying {that a} clarification – and even an efficient rule adjustment – might already be in movement, Ioverno struck a measured tone when talking to Italian media throughout day two of testing in Bahrain.
“We’ve all been engaged on a basis that’s nonetheless evolving,” Ioverno stated. “It’s a brand new regulation that took the Federation, F1 and the groups a number of time to draft, and it’s each perfectible and open to interpretation.
“We’re nonetheless at a stage the place some elements might require clarification or, let’s say, completely different constraints.”
He declined to remark particularly on Mercedes’ scenario.
“I gained’t inform you what I consider Mercedes and the scenario,” he stated. “Every of us research the principles and tries to maneuver inside our limits, staying as near the restrict as potential. Then there’s a referee who will determine what’s on the pitch and what’s off.
“The purpose of all of us concerned within the sport – for the nice of the game – is to have a transparent image earlier than Melbourne.”
Conferences are scheduled within the coming days, together with discussions at Sporting Advisory Committee stage, because the FIA seeks to shut any gray areas earlier than the season opener.
Adrian Newey, now at Aston Martin-Honda, smiled when requested concerning the matter and admitted his “bias”.
“I feel everybody agrees, aside from one producer,” he stated. “So I suppose we’ll discover out in Melbourne.”
Past the political backdrop, Ioverno acknowledged the sheer scale of the 2026 overhaul.
“We’re speaking about one of many largest modifications within the historical past of System 1,” he informed Sky Italia. “We’re attempting to know what these laws enable, what the alternatives and risks are. For now, there haven’t been large surprises.”
One of many key challenges is vitality administration, an space drivers have described as more and more advanced.
“The factor they nonetheless must metabolise is managing the technical complexity,” Ioverno admitted. “One of many targets will likely be to make the vehicles simpler for the drivers.”
Ferrari has responded by strengthening inner buildings.
“We’ve created teams that deal with the interplay between drivers, vitality, the facility unit and the automotive,” he defined. “Sure, we’ve introduced in new technicians specialised in understanding and utilizing the facility unit’s new options.”
As for the aggressive image and the varied workforce’s respective interpretations, Ioverno resisted early conclusions.
“The one I like finest proper now could be ours,” he stated with a smile. “However possibly in six months I’ll change my thoughts.”
