Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – August 14, 2020 Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – August 14, 2020 Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Mattia Binotto dismissed the fact that Ferrari was scanning the Mercedes “Inside and outside”. Binotto also spoke about the legality of using such components in the paddock.
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In August this year, Toto Wolff revealed that some teams were scanning Mercedes’s cars inside-out using a 3D camera. Such allegations were turned down by Binotto and clarified that his team would never indulge in such activities.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – Mercedes’ Team Principal Toto Wolff during the press conference | COURTESY: FIA/Handout via REUTERS
During the press conference, Binotto was asked how he would like to respond to Toto’s allegations. “Honestly, no idea. I’ve no idea if someone was scanning their car. Certainly, it was not us. Honestly can’t comment on it”, clarified Binotto.
He even expressed his views on scanning other teams’ cars. “I think that taking pictures, Scanning, I do not see any way, anyhow a problem with it. I think what is wrong eventually is to do Reverse engineering on the entire car”, Binotto said.
“But I think that one now has been clarified in the wording by FIA and I’m happy with that conclusion”.
To know more: Toto Wolff makes a Startling Revelation Amid Mercedes “Copycat” Controversy
Earlier this season, the FIA had scrapped 15 points off Racing Point and fined €400,000 after Renault won the protest it raised on the Brake Ducts. FIA still allowed the team to use the Brake Ducts for the rest of the season.
Teams like Renault and Mclaren did protest against the decision but to no avail. Teams decided to withdraw from their protests as days went by. The latest and the final team to withdraw from the protest was Ferrari.
Performance of Ferrari and Mercedes this year
Imago
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – August 15, 2020, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in action during qualifying
Courtesy: Alejandro Garcia/Pool via REUTERS
Since the start of this season, there have been contrasting emotions in the garages of Ferrari and Mercedes. While Mercedes has improved its pace from last year, Ferrari has gone from runner-ups to fighting for the top 5 in constructors. Ferrari knew this year was going to be a year to forget for them. But the improvements the other teams made only made it worse.
The only driver to take the fight to the Mercedes this year was Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix where Mercedes struggled with tire degradation.
