Formula 1 News

Montezemolo urges FIA to clarify diffuser regulations 

In an interview with Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has urged the FIA to clarify the regulations on the controversial diffusers. “I expect clarity over the regulations. It’s not good to start a season with such important question marks,” he said.

But despite this, the Italian has suggested that Scuderia Ferrari has to react quickly to the disappointing race in Australia starting from this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

“I expect to see the real strengths of the team at Sepang. I think the first race has gone a lot worse than what we and I had expected. There’s no doubt we’re paying the price for the 2008 championship, which ended at the last turn of the last lap of the last Grand Prix,” he explained.

“Ferrari along with McLaren Mercedes, had to develop the car to the end, while the others were already able for several months to work on a completely new project. Let’s not forget that this year’s car isn’t an evolution. So, those who had the time has been able to gain an even bigger advantage,” he continued.

“I think we made too many mistakes at Melbourne, and most of all I expect to see the real strength of the team at the Malaysian Grand Prix. I’m convinced, in fact I’m totally sure, that there will be a strong reaction, even though the cars are the same,” he added.

Back on the diffuser design of the Williams, Toyota and Brawn GP cars di Montezemolo said: “Either these diffusers are legal, so it must be said and proved quickly, even though we and many other teams don’t think they are, and we’ll adapt; otherwise they aren’t legal, so in this case too they must say so as soon as possible, because who interprets the regulations and isn’t going by the rules creates an difference in performance which isn’t good.”

“This is what I’m expecting to happen as soon as possible, and I know that all the people at Ferrari will work on it in the next days,” he concluded.