Feb.13 (GMM) Ferrari sporting director Diego Ioverno has refused to be drawn instantly 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 – could already be in movement, Ioverno struck a measured tone when chatting with 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 variety of time to draft, and it’s each perfectible and open to interpretation.
“We’re nonetheless at a stage the place some facets could require clarification or, let’s say, totally different constraints.”
He declined to remark particularly on Mercedes’ state of affairs.
“I gained’t inform you what I consider Mercedes and the state of affairs,” he stated. “Every of us research the principles and tries to maneuver inside our limits, staying as near the restrict as attainable. Then there’s a referee who will determine what’s on the pitch and what’s off.
“The aim of all of us concerned within the sport – for the great 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 in regards to the matter and admitted his “bias”.
“I feel everybody agrees, aside from one producer,” he stated. “So I assume 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 Components 1,” he advised Sky Italia. “We’re making an attempt to grasp what these rules 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 probably be to make the automobiles simpler for the drivers.”
Ferrari has responded by strengthening inner constructions.
“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 perhaps in six months I’ll change my thoughts.”
