Ferrari furious after Marko’s hand-adjuster claim
3 August, 2012
Aug.3 (GMM) A reportedly furious Ferrari team has hit back at Red Bull, after the reigning champions suggested that the Maranello team had broken the rules “for a year”.
Frustrated with the constant technical controversies involving Red Bull in 2012, the team’s Dr Helmut Marko said this week that “Ferrari used something like that for a year”.
The outspoken Austrian had been asked about the latest Red Bull saga, amid reports that he FIA told the team to remove an illegal hand-control for adjusting the RB8′s ride height without a tool at June’s Canadian grand prix.
The website of Italian sports newspapers Tuttosport and Corriere dello Sport said Ferrari has responded to Marko’s claims by issuing a robust denial.
A Ferrari spokesman was quoted as saying the accusation is “completely untrue”.
Indeed, in the original article that quoted Marko about the alleged Ferrari system, journalist Michael Schmidt doubted Red Bull would have any knowledge about what is under the skin of the red F2012.
“One has to wonder how an outsider could have seen something like that,” said the Auto Motor und Sport writer.
“Chassis components at the front are well hidden in the carbon tube, and you can only get access to them from the top service hatch.
“And it’s hard to imagine Ferrari would have given any insight to strangers,” added Schmidt.
Subbed by AJN.
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So Ferrari (amoung others) spend the past couple so seasons complaining about Red Bull but as soon as Red Bull give them a taste of their own medicine they start crying. What pathetic hypocrites they have become since Jean Todt left.
I like Marko he has the balls to address issues other teams wouldn’t dare to do. All I have learned here is Ferrari doesn’t like being called out anymore than Red Bull does. Ferrari’s response looks very defensive under the circumstancees which leads me to believe Marko is right.
Marko should be sacked by Red Bull he is dragging the brand down with him.
Ferrari must be wondering if Helmut Marko has a copy of the Ferrari blueprints.
Multi Million pound court case
@Disgusted with 2012
I am disgusted with you
There is no reason for any team to accept cheating by another team, and more than a few paths to protest suspected activities. It adds to the credibility of the sport if cheaters are brought under control or disqualified. The FIA and FOCA are very interested in controlling unfair advantages, this is being plaid by some teams to bring pressure onto others, a legitimate pursuit. The reason RBR have not been disqualified, is they have not cheated. Cut it close to the rules, yes, cheated, no. Are they pushing the envelope? Absolutely, and have had their wings clipped a couple times, as have others with less fanfare. RBR is just the team to hate du Jour, as they kicked some top team tail last year – which we all know cannot be done legitimately – right? (wrong.) The anger of Ferrari and McLaren’s humiliation in 2011 is palpable in 2012.
Normally the people that really know what is going on end up being chased away or silenced. Than the media turns on them from “contrubutions” from “parties of intrest”
Ferrari should just sue that old senile foolish little man for slander. I’ve had just about enough of this damn Marko fool and his wild BS stories! If he can’t keep his stupid mouth closed then he should pay for it. He’s constantly bashing other teams but when someone dares to say anything about Red Bull then all hell breaks loose. I’ve got nothing against Red Bull team but this little old fool should just get lost! F and U Marko!
@Disgusted
There are very real reasons for FIA to ignore suspected breaches of the rules at this time. One major reason would be the stock floatation of F1. No one of the stakeholders (including the major teams who will be recieving reveniews from floatation), want to get into a public dispute over legality, with one of the major teams in F1. This is especially true if RB chooses to go to court if they are penalized over the cheats, as the reputation of F1 could be badly harmed and potentially loosing the stakeholders big amounts of cash. Who would want to buy into a “company” were major stakeholders are found to be cheating…
Ferrari and McLaren have been whispering in the ears of the FIA and track stewards over real and imagined Red Bull slights all season. It is a strategy to raise pressure on the opposition. Red Bull have not cheated, that would be penalized, as there is zero reason for the FIA or other teams to accept it. Now that Ferrari are being targeted, they are howling foul, as is the standard reaction. Whether or not the assertion is true, the message is clear – live by the sword, die by the sword. All teams are asked by the FIA to make adjustments at various times. It’s the work of PR professionals and team principles to point media and official attention toward rivals. It’s no conspiracy, its just using every tool available to win – which Ferrari knows better than any other.
RB are very smart people. So smart that they have been able to get away with obvious cheating without risking any kind of punishment – not only this year. These smart people want a bit of a breathing space and what is the best action in that case? Exactly, point finger at some other team, preferrably a popular team. What could be a better target than Ferrari? In an instant you will have people “forgetting” about you and talking about the new subject – mission accomplished. So eaither this explanation, or RB has been not only cheating but also spying in order to get this detailed info about the suspension of the Ferraris. Spy-gate 2? Also lets not forget it was same dr Marko who raged at (and petentially made him go) Algesuari – a driver of the two other red bulls – prev year, just because he may have hindered Vettel at qualy when he was trying to do his job…
Like I said before Marko only knows how to complain about other teams… But he doesn’t like when they complain about his team.. Marko should just retire from being a consultant for Red Bull…