FIA respond to seven teams following displeasure over Ferrari settlement

Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, McLaren, Renault, AlphaTauri, Racing Point and Williams released a joint statement on Wednesday after the FIA made a decision to reach a settlement with Ferrari.
 
The Scuderia’s power unit from 2019 was being investigated by the FIA over its legality and whether it fell in line with the regulations.
 
The seven teams demanded clarification after being “surprised and shocked” by the settlement decision over the investigation into whether the Scuderia’s 2019 power unit fell in line with the regulations.
 
But the FIA have responded that despite not being “fully satisfied – further action would not necessarily result in a conclusive case” and that in compliance with Article 4 (ii) of the Judical and Disciplinary Rules a settlement was made with Ferrari to terminate the investigation.

FIA's Full Statement

"The FIA has conducted detailed technical analysis on the Scuderia Ferrari Power Unit as it is entitled to do for any competitor in the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"The extensive and thorough investigations undertaken during the 2019 season raised suspicions that the Scuderia Ferrari PU could be considered as not operating within the limits of the FIA regulations at all times. The Scuderia Ferrari firmly opposed the suspicions and reiterated that its PU always operated in compliance with the regulations.The FIA was not fully satisfied but decided that further action would not necessarily result in a conclusive case due to the complexity of the matter and the material impossibility to provide the unequivocal evidence of a breach.

"To avoid the negative consequences that a long litigation would entail especially in light of the uncertainty of the outcome of such litigations and in the best interest of the Championship and of its stakeholders, the FIA, in compliance with Article 4 (ii) of its Judicial and Disciplinary Rules (JDR), decided to enter into an effective and dissuasive settlement agreement with Ferrari to terminate the proceedings.

"This type of agreement is a legal tool recognised as an essential component of any disciplinary system and is used by many public authorities and other sport federations in the handling of disputes.

"The confidentiality of the terms of the settlement agreement is provided for by Article 4 (vi) of the JDR.

"The FIA will take all necessary action to protect the sport and its role and reputation as regulator of the FIA Formula One World Championship."