Vettel: FIA investigations ‘normal’ amid F1 ERS scrutiny

Sebastian Vettel brushed off the FIA’s scrutiny of the energy recovery system (ERS) on Ferrari’s Formula 1 car during practice for the Monaco Grand Prix on Thursday, saying external concerns about it had been overblown.

As initially reported by Motorsport Magazine, the FIA fitted a new piece of hardware to Ferrari’s ERS system ahead of FP1 to ensure there were no loopholes being exploited in the car’s energy deployment after concerns were raised by Mercedes non-executive director Niki Lauda.

Vettel confirmed after practice that he was aware of the scrutiny from the FIA, but had no concerns about it, saying the process was a formality up and down the paddock on various matters.

“Obviously we heard about it, but it’s normal that every now and then you have something popping up. This time it’s for us probably, but in four weeks’ time it will be for someone else,” Vettel said.

“Ultimately I think it’s the FIA’s job to look after it, and I think we trust them as much as the other teams trust them. But that’s it, I think it’s pretty straightforward.

“I think it’s more outside the talk rather than stuff we will discuss inside.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff were also asked about the FIA’s decision to look into the issue, with both expressing faith in the sport’s governing body’s stewards.

“I’m sure that the FIA have all the competence to be able to able to measure, administer and look at the car that’s presented for scrutineering and during a grand prix weekend,” Horner said.

“Of course it’s the team’s obligation to ensure that that happens. I think the FIA are probably the best people to point that question at.”

Wolff added: “We have legality topics come up regularly. Some are more controversial but it's the daily business of the FIA to check what the teams do. It is the obligation of the teams to comply with the regulations and this is an ongoing process.

“I have great confidence with whatever issues are coming up, be it on the engine or the chassis, the FIA has been on top of it a lot.

“As far as I understand this is a process that’s taking place as we speak and we will see what the outcome is.”