Ferrari used 'usual procedure' amid fuel breach
Mattia Binotto claims Ferrari did not mean to breach a technical rule in Abu Dhabi.
Charles Leclerc's podium remained under a cloud until almost four hours after the chequered flag, as suspicions about the legality of the Ferrari entered yet another phase.
Prior to the race, the FIA discovered during a random check that the amount of fuel declared by Ferrari did not match the amount that was actually in the tank.
"I believe there have been ten checks this season," team boss Binotto said.
"And there was never anything to complain about. We believe that our measurements were correct. Only one was not conclusive."
Because the breach was of a technical directive rather than an actual technical regulation, Ferrari escaped with a $50,000 fine rather than a disqualification.
"There were differences in the measurements," Binotto admitted. "We believe our measurements were correct but we need to find out why there was a difference.
"I know that we followed our usual procedure."
But this latest development is bad timing for Ferrari, as the ongoing issue of the car's legality is sure to now follow the Italian team throughout the winter.
"It's a topic that I think will be discussed for some time," Mercedes' Toto Wolff agrees. "A lot has been said already - probably more than should have been said."
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Ferrari should be disqualified rather a fine.
Renault was disqualified both pilote for less than that.They lost a lot of points.
The rule has to be the same for all teams.
It is really unfair .
I totally agree with you Dominique rules are being broken now by the FIA . RULES should apply to every team. as you said team Renault lost lots of points. this.is totally inadequate. Danny lost points, so team Ferrari should also have lost points. this needs to be corrected.
First off, I am no huge Ferrari fan. I prefer the old British teams and now the US Haas experiment. BUT, will you red team haters please take your meds. BIG difference between Renault's gaffe and the Ferrari fueling fiasco. One was performance enhancing and the other just plain stupid Read the fueling regulation.....no wonder these guys are called engineers. As for the fuel flow 'cheating' allegation. Fully investigated and if the FIA had found liability they would have DQ'd Ferrari from 2019 results and fined them a gazillion dollars.
In this highly technical field things can sometimes go wrong...just like the glitch with the DRS.
Fuel Flow argument :- well after FIA clarification Ferrari's performance fell of a cliff, no 'cheating' just bending of the rules it would seem!
As to the fuel mis-measuring just a minor mistake, Ferrari's management make far bigger ones on the pit wall every Sunday!
"bending of the rules" We call that maximizing the opportunity out here in the real world. Re Ferrari management errors...the red team has not had good management in many years. MB and RB should thank them. The Ferrari faithful must cry daily.
You sound like our President Trump, deflecting and spinning facts. Stay to point, if you have one.