F1 | Ferrari, no SF21 in the Fiorano tests because of Red Bull?

Ferrari is busy these days in some test sessions on the Fiorano circuit to test the power unit that will be fitted on the Ferrari from 2022 until 2025, given the freezing of the engines for the next four years (but it could be extended until 2026, ed.). The Scuderia di Maranello intended to use the SF21, a car that had been on track until the Abu Dhabi race on 12 December. In fact, the regulation, unlike what was granted up until the season just ended, allows the most recent machines to be used for private tests, as there is no technological continuity, given the technical evolution that we will have from this year.

F1 | Ferrari, Fiorano test program changed

However, not everything is as it seems: in fact, Ferrari suddenly changed its mind shortly before taking to the track with Robert Shwartzman, communicating the following.

The test program that Scuderia Ferrari was to carry out starting today (January 25, ed) on the Fiorano track was changed this morning. Waiting to receive an update from the FIA ​​on how the definition of "Test Previous Cars" will be applied in 2022, which establishes which car can be used in this type of testing – it was decided in the session that a 71 SF2018-H will be used. The detailed program will be announced later.

Evidently there is a bit of confusion in the Federation, but this uncertainty seems to have arisen from a very specific request from a team, the Red Bull, which according to what reported by FUnoTechnicalAnalysis during the course of Wednesday, he expressly requested clarification from the FIA ​​regarding the use of the SF21 on the Fiorano track by Ferrari. It is obvious that fitting a new engine, with elements of last season's engine, on a four-year-old car is a significant disadvantage, especially if the regulation itself allows teams to use last year's cars for this type of racing. test. Ferrari wanted to take precautions to avoid sanctions, and Red Bull got what it wanted most, which was to immediately put a spanner in the works of a potential competitor for the season that is about to begin.

F1 | Ferrari, testing starts in Fiorano this afternoon