Ferrari reveal ignored warning to FIA over key F1 concern

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has revealed the Italian squad informed the FIA one year ago about the challenges the new power units would pose to race starts.

One of the biggest talking points from pre-season testing in Bahrain has centred around the difficulties drivers are enduring with the starting procedures.

Following the removal of the MGU-H component in a regulation overhaul, drivers are now required to run their cars at high revs to keep the turbo spinning.

This involves a much longer process when the cars line up on the grid and has seen varying results during testing.

But Ferrari has claimed the FIA has long been aware of the potential headache.

“We raised [this issue] one year ago with the FIA, about the starting procedure, that it was tricky,” Vasseur told media including RacingNews365.

“Everybody knew that without the MGU-H it would be a tricky phase of the weekend. The FIA decided to not change the procedure.

“We all took decisions on the architecture of the engine based on those regulations.”

F1 trialled a new approach in Bahrain last week, signalling a blue light for five seconds once the last car got into position on the start grid.

The traditional five red lights then followed, giving the drivers time to get their systems in a place to safely launch off the line.

Issuing his verdict with the new process, Vasseur said: “I think the new procedure with the flashing lights, it’s fitting with everybody. 

“Everybody’s happy with this, we all think that it’s safe, and let’s go like this.

“If someone is not convinced, we can always start on the pit lane if it’s not safe.”