Ferrari welcomes additional FIA checks to ensure "clear and fair" F1

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says he welcomes the FIA’s decision to carry out “deeper technical checks” to ensure F1 cars comply with the regulations.

Ahead of the new season, the FIA announced it would conduct random “deeper” post-race technical assessments.

“In order to complete deeper technical checks of the cars in the championship, the technical delegate will routinely and randomly select one car at each event following the race for deeper disassembly, conformity checks and checks of software and systems,” The FIA said in its bulletin released ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

“Additional checks may also be carried out on the competitor’s other car.

“These checks will be in addition to the routine checks carried out by the technical department of the FIA and reported at the conclusion of each event.

“Should a stewards’ investigation be necessary, in accordance with Art[icle] 11.9.3.t of the ISC which concerns decisions that must be taken after an event, the stewards may reconvene, or delegate their authority to a subsequent panel of stewards, or to a panel assembled by the FIA for that purpose.”

Ahead of the 2020 season, the FIA reached a settlement with Ferrari over its 2019 power unit, with the details of the investigation kept under wraps.

It appears the FIA’s decision to carry out deeper technical checks is to avoid a similar situation occurring again.

“On the extra checks, again very happy for them,'' Binotto said. “I think it’s obviously the FIA’s responsibility to police and to check, and I think if they do that in a different matter we can only be happy. I think it’s maybe the best way somehow to make sure we develop a clear and fair field across the teams."