Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur Voices Support for FIA’s Technical Directive Ahead of Singapore Grand Prix

In the dynamic world of Formula 1, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has expressed support for the FIA’s new technical directive, TD018. His stance comes as the team gears up for a potentially advantageous race at the Singapore Grand Prix, following their recent rise in the constructors’ championship.

Key Takeaways:

• Ferrari’s Recent Progress: Ferrari overtook Aston Martin at the Italian Grand Prix, securing the third spot in the constructors’ championship. With the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix expected to favor Ferrari’s SF-23 cars, the team is optimistic about closing the gap with Mercedes and further distancing themselves from their competitors.
• FIA’s New Technical Directive (TD018): In response to suspicions of aerodynamic regulation breaches in F1, the FIA introduced TD018. This directive focuses on ensuring the rigidity and immobility of car components that influence aerodynamics, as outlined in Article 3.2.2 of the Technical Regulations.
• Vasseur’s Support for the FIA: Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur publicly backed the FIA’s decision to implement TD018. He emphasized the importance of clarity in regulations and expressed trust in the FIA’s judgment to introduce such directives for better regulation adherence.

In the fast-paced and highly technical world of Formula 1, staying ahead of the curve is crucial, both on and off the track. Ferrari, a name synonymous with speed and precision, has recently made notable strides in the F1 constructors’ championship, leapfrogging over Aston Martin to claim third place. This achievement comes just in time for the Singapore Grand Prix, a race where Ferrari’s SF-23 cars are expected to perform well, potentially narrowing the gap with the second-placed Mercedes.

A significant development shaping the dynamics of the upcoming races is the introduction of a new technical directive, TD018, by the FIA. This directive comes amid growing concerns within the F1 community about potential loopholes being exploited in aerodynamic regulations. Specifically, there have been suspicions that some teams might be skirting the rules regarding the flexibility of their cars’ front and rear wings. Such modifications could illicitly enhance downforce and reduce drag at high speeds, giving those teams an unfair advantage.

Central to the FIA’s concerns is Article 3.2.2 of the Technical Regulations, which mandates that components influencing a car’s aerodynamic performance should remain rigid and immovable relative to their frame of reference. To ensure compliance with these regulations, the FIA has now required teams to submit detailed assembly drawings and cross-sections of their cars. This includes close scrutiny of how wing elements are affixed to various car parts like the nose, rear-wing endplates, and pylons.

Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur, speaking to the media about these changes, conveyed his support for the FIA’s move. He emphasized the essence of the technical directive as a clarification of existing regulations, underlining the necessity of such measures for maintaining the integrity of the sport. His quote remains unaltered: “By definition, a TD is a clarification of the regulation. It means that there was already a regulation in place. And we have to trust the FIA that if they consider that they have to do the TD it’s probably that the regulation was not clear enough and we trust the FIA in this direction to do that.”

As teams prepare for the Singapore Grand Prix, the introduction of TD018 could be a pivotal moment in this season’s championship race. Ferrari, bolstered by their recent advancements and Vasseur’s confidence in the FIA’s regulatory decisions, looks set to make a significant impact in the upcoming races.