FIA clears legality of camera-blocking 'fan'
F1's governing body has cleared Ferrari to keep using a controversial airbox fan.
In the Singapore pits, the Italian team was fitting a new bespoke 'cooling' device to its airbox, having been told by the FIA to stop the practice of crudely covering the on-board camera with a bag of ice.
It is believed Ferrari is determined to obscure the camera so that rivals cannot look into the cockpit and at the steering wheel settings of the 2018 car.
Germany's Bild newspaper said the FIA has cleared Ferrari to keep using the solution used by the Italian team in Singapore.
"We looked and it and the view is not blocked. It would only be a problem if the view was blocked," said F1 race director Charlie Whiting.
However, while the camera's view is not completely obscured by the 'cooling' solution, it is believed Ferrari has succeeded in blocking the view of the cockpit.
"We'll take another look, but it's not our top priority," Whiting insisted.
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I'm not sure if it's a coincidence and of course Mercedes have likely upped their game but ever since the FIA stared looking at this airbox / camera cooling issue Ferrari's performance has dropped by a small amount.
Something stinks in the house of Ferrari. Italian press seems to have declared an open season on Vettel. Arrivabene is overstaying his his name (arrivabene=benvenuto=welcome!)
If ever there was someone who was named wrong it was the Ferrari Team Boss. I think he's living on borrowed time. I suspect you'll see a new face shortly and if Ferrari don't make a big recovery this year in terms of the Championship then I think Vettel has just twelve months to make good before Hamilton will come under immense Italian courtship. If they fail with Lewis and MaxV matures and continues to drive thoughtfully then he will be their alternative.
What the hell. This is the crap that bugs me about F1. Why are teams obligated to have their cameras on in the pits. It is not a safety issue so what gives? How about putting a cover on the wheel that would do the job.