Force India and McLaren call for an investigation into the technical partnership between Ferrari and Haas

The two independent teams, Force India and McLaren, are skeptical about the performance of the two Haas cars this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix.

During the first Grand Prix of the season which took place this weekend, the two cars of the American team managed to lock the third row, following the penalty applied to Daniel Ricciardo on his Red Bull. Unfortunately, the team owned by Gene Haas was unable to convert this great qualifying result during the race, due to two consecutive errors during pit stops.

This performance has perplexed some of the team’s competitors, who are questioning the compliance with the technical regulations of Haas’s partnership with Ferrari but also with Dallara. Indeed, Ferrari supplies Haas with all the parts that do not need to be developed by each team, namely the gearbox, the suspension, the hydraulics, and the engine. On the other hand, the Italian company Dallara is heavily involved in the development of the chassis while benefiting from the Ferrari wind tunnel.

The regulations are clear on this point, it is strictly forbidden for two teams to share information about parts that the teams are required to manufacture themselves. Furthermore, two teams are not allowed to share personnel to work on common projects.

Otmar Szafnauer, executive director of Team Force India, is skeptical about Haas’ sudden performance gain: « I don’t know how they do it, it’s magic. It’s never been done in Formula 1. »

Before adding: “I don’t know how it can be considered fair for someone who has been in this sport for a few years with few resources to produce a car like this. Did it happen by magic? If so, I want the wand that goes with it.”

He thus wishes that more in-depth investigations be carried out by the FIA: « All aerodynamic properties must be your own. If not, I don’t know how you can claim that without an investigation being opened on the matter. »

According to him, a standard technical inspection does not allow you to know everything: « The technical inspection only shows that a single-seater is within regulations. But does it prove that it’s your idea and not someone else’s? That’s the real question. And I don’t know the answer to that. »

The Haas team driver Romain Grosjean acknowledged this weekend that the configuration of Ferrari’s front suspensions largely dictates the aerodynamic design of the rest of the car.

On McLaren’s side, with its executive director Zak Brown, the question is also raised. When asked whether he believes Haas is breaking the rules, the American responds: « I have no evidence. We all know they have a very close alliance with Ferrari, and I think we just need to make sure that it is not too close. »

Brown suggests that this partnership could consist of recycling parts from the previous season’s Ferrari onto Haas’s 2018 car: « There might be influence, there are certainly parts of the car that look very similar to those used on last year’s Ferrari. But it’s up to the engineers and the FIA to look into it more closely. »

The two team bosses claim that several other teams would like the FIA to clarify the situation by opening an investigation.