The issue is being considered by the stewards of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to determine whether it is in breach of the Sporting Regulations, but Wolff said there is a possibility it will drag on.
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From left, Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene, flanked by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner attend a news conference at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Nov. 27, 2015.
Though an investigation earlier in the season cleared Ferrari of any potential unfair gains made by its partnership with Haas – specifically information gleaned from its use of a wind tunnel -, Mercedes has once again approached the FIA, this time seeing clarification over a number of matters.
Abu Dhabi: Mercedes has demanded clarification from Formula One authorities on rules restricting aerodynamic testing and preventing collusion between rival teams.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) published a sheaf of documents, including letters from Mercedes technical head Paddy Lowe, seeking clarification on a number of “ambiguities” in the sport’s rules.
“What we have sought from the FIA is a clarification to understand what you could do within the rules”.
“This is the trigger of reorganising your structure to share ATR [aerodynamic testing restrictions] quota, to collaborate and educate personnel jointly and share infrastructure”, said Wolff.
Although teams have long established relationships with rivals, the new partnership between Ferrari and Haas has been viewed as particularly wide-ranging with the American newcomers taking the Scuderia’s full powertrain and a number of vehicle parts.
“We don’t want to go into unknown territory and launch ourselves in a project which could potentially be seen as not within the rules”.
“We are looking at 2016 and especially with consideration of 2017 where the vehicle may be completely different with the scope of development we could be having with another team about sharing resources”.
Those restrictions only come into force once a team has entered the championship.
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“It would eventually lead in a situation where it could become an arms race of how many cooperation partners you could sign up to develop at a greater speed”.
