Ferrari asked FIA question about Red Bullâ??s car

Ok - see your point. But still no mention about the 'Race' - so in theory they can shift the weight distribution in the race then, car could be complying to the weight distribution for qualy and then free to adjust once the race gets underway...

Parc ferme finishes once the race gets underway yes?

As I understand it yes, once the race begins they are free to make any normal adjustments, but obviously the time penalty usually makes it impractical.

Edited by tomjol, 03 November 2012 - 12:15.

As I understand it yes, once the race begins they are free to make any normal adjustments, but obviously the time penalty usually makes it impractical.

I imagine if it was just about allowing fluid of some kind to move from one tank to another it could be a pretty quick and simple adjustment to do - basically opening a valve - so no longer than a front wing adjustment.

Not saying that is what RBR are allegedly doing here, but certainly possible I would've thought...

Altering the weight distribution is not legal, do you think Ferrari would make a complaint if it was.

But they didn't make a complaint. They asked for a clarification. If they were convinced Red Bull were using such a system and that it would be illegal to do so, they could have easily lodged an official protest - like teams did against Merc's double DRS.

Though it now seems they weren't even mentioning RBR in particular.

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So, if i understand the Google Translation of Bauer's clarification correctly, they can't move gearbox oil around the car unless there's a technical necessity for it. Which would rule out those fluid balance systems we're talking about here - too bad it's another of those circulars the public doesn't get access to.

But they didn't make a complaint. They asked for a clarification. If they were convinced Red Bull were using such a system and that it would be illegal to do so, they could have easily lodged an official protest - like teams did against Merc's double DRS.

Though it now seems they weren't even mentioning RBR in particular.

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So, if i understand the Google Translation of Bauer's clarification correctly, they can't move gearbox oil around the car unless there's a technical necessity for it. Which would rule out those fluid balance systems we're talking about here - too bad it's another of those circulars the public doesn't get access to.

The process is to get a clarification first and then lodge a protest after the race. It can happen

The process is to get a clarification first and then lodge a protest after the race. It can happen

Teams can only protest steward decisions, for instance when a car they deem illegal passes scrutineering. Like what happened with Merc's DRS or the DDDs in 2009. They don't need to ask for a rule clarification first. Actually, asking for a clarification would imply that the rules are not clear enough to penalise teams for breaching them.

Edited by dau, 03 November 2012 - 14:17.

BBC

BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson

"There is speculation that an auxiliary oil tank forward in the Red Bull car is being used to move the weight distribution forward by pumping oil from the back to the front. If they did that, it would contravene the regulations but I don't believe they will be. The rules say that the teams have to ensure their cars comply at all times, and if they had that system the FIA would know about it. They will know whether there is a pump that moves oil from the back to the front, or the front to the back."

According to AMuS, translated from German:

The second request according to AMuS was that SF wanted to know whether it's legal to pump lubricant between different containers, either in parc fermé or on track - apparently Renault cars are doing the latter to help with lubrication. FIA answered that the number of oil containers is not regulated and in parc fermé one can remove lubricant but must return it to the same container (hence cannot use it to change balance), and on track it is legal to pump if strictly to help with lubrication (again not to change weight balance or rake, FIA would consider this a movable aero device)

Edited by KnucklesAgain, 03 November 2012 - 15:21.