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FIA Clears Ferrari, New Haas Team, Citing Ambiguities In Regulations

Ferrari and the new Haas team "have been cleared of breaking rules restricting research and development," according to Andrew Benson of the BBC. Mercedes had asked FIA for clarification on the rules governing aerodynamic testing and "other ways of sharing information." Their questions came after "widespread concerns Ferrari used their links with Haas to get around the restrictions." The FIA ruled there was "no evidence any team had broken the rules," but has also closed off any potential loopholes. The FIA conceded there were "ambiguities in the regulations and has issued a series of clarifications" outlining what is permitted. Among them is a statement that "any competitor planning to enter F1 should be governed by the rules on design and development restrictions from the moment their entry is accepted." This has not been the case with Haas, which has benefited from "unrestricted development during their preparations for F1 entry next year" (BBC, 11/29). REUTERS' Alan Baldwin reported F1 champion Mercedes has denied targeting Ferrari in seeking clarification from FIA "about how much teams can work together to develop their cars." Mercedes Exec Dir Toto Wolff said, "We haven't launched anything against a particular team. What we have sought from the FIA is a clarification to understand what you could do within the rules." The use of wind tunnels, "crucial to aerodynamic developments," is restricted in F1 to cut costs but Haas, being currently outside the championship, "are not subject to the same limits" (REUTERS, 11/28). Williams Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams called the technical partnership between Haas F1 and Ferrari “outside of the regulations” in an interview with SBD Global. Asked at the Mexican Grand Prix if Haas F1's approach could become a model for future teams to enter F1, she said, "I can’t answer that because it’s outside of the regulations. … I'd rather not answer that question." Williams did not elaborate why she thinks the partnership violates FIA regulations (HJ Mai, SBD Global).

JOKING GESTURE: Baldwin reported in a separate piece Wolff and Mercedes Non-Exec Chair Niki Lauda "walked hand-in-hand in the Abu Dhabi paddock on Saturday in response to reports there was no love lost between them." The "joking gesture" came after the two Austrians had "expressed some surprise" at rumors of a "perceived rift at the top of a dominant team celebrating retaining both world championships." British media reported that Lauda could walk out after Sunday's season-ending race. Mercedes insiders "dismissed the reports." Others pointed the finger at "mischief-making" by Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner and F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, who is also close to Lauda, as part of "tough negotiations over engines" (REUTERS, 11/28).

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