'Now it’s war!' - How the Italian Media have reacted to FIA-Ferrari protests

Ferrari

'Now it’s war!' - How the Italian Media have reacted to FIA-Ferrari protests

'This is war, politics, power and even of money'

Sam Hall

Thursday 5 March 2020 13:48

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Italian media have reacted furiously over the protests of seven Formula 1 teams over the non-disclosure 'settlement' reached between the FIA and Ferrari following an investigation on the Italian manufacturers 2019 power unit.

Media outlets Gazzetta dello Sport, La Republica, Il Resto del Carlino and Corriere della Sera have all hit out at the 'state of war' in the sport, with one outlet suggesting that a spy had infiltrated the Ferrari team and revealed details of the team's innovations.

“Now it’s war! This is war, politics, power and even of money," Luigi Perna wrote in Gazzetta dello Sport. “If Ferrari had been found guilty of some infraction, its second place in the 2019 Constructors’ ranking and the related cash prizes would be called into question.

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“But is there also something more? Could Maranello have acted with the engine within the limits of the regulation, in one of its gray areas, but be perfectly compliant?"

Daniele Sparisici added in the Corriere della Sera, “Ferrari and FIA are under siege.

“Yesterday morning at 11 o’clock Formula 1 declared a state of war. Ten days before the Melbourne Grand Prix.

“Toto Wolff’s campaign garnered 100 percent approval against the Federation and Ferrari for the agreement that ended the investigation into the 2019 Ferrari engine, which was suspected by opponents of having evaded the rules."

After outlining the protest between Ferrari and the FIA and the rest of the grid, Sparisici outlines how she believes that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is behind the 'siege'on Ferrari.

Teams unite against FIA-Ferrari 'settlement' following power unit investigationsRead more

Sparisici added, “So Mercedes coordinated the blatant and unusual protest by dragging in its customer teams Williams and Racing Point, but also Red Bull, AlphaTauri, McLaren and Renault. Seven out of ten, those of the Ferrari galaxy (Alpha and Haas) are missing.

“They threaten lawsuits. There is political power and money at stake.

“The siege operation continued, the target is not only Maranello but also the president of the FIA Jean Todt, accused of having been too soft against his former team.”

Leo Turner at Il Resto del Carlino claims that a spy managed to infiltrate Ferrari.

What the FIA-Ferrari protest outcome could beRead more

“A spy arrived, someone who knows all too well the technical secrets of Maranello and explained to competitors where the “trick” lies, that is, in the management of the flow of petrol to the power unit," said Turner.

“The FIA has not been able to prove malice on the part of the Cavallino, but to avoid any misunderstandings it has changed the rule on the flow of petrol. This explains the curious epilogue of the procedure, in practice a confidential transaction, however destined to send the red team’s enemies on a rampage.”