No spray! But it’s dry at this section

IIN

STEFAN

ALESSANDRO

Ferrari trials new spray-guard system for FIA FORMULA 1 The Ferrari Formula 1 team has trialled a more aggressive spray-guard system in an FIA test at its Fiorano track.

Last Thursday’s test was part of an ongoing effort by F1’s governing body to reduce spray thrown up by cars in the rain, improving visibility and safety. Photos from the test showed Charles Leclerc’s brother

Arthur driving the 2023 Ferrari SF-75 with fully covered full-wet tyres. The guards include two holes in front but are fully covered at the back. The squad’s reserve driver Ollie Bearman ran behind Leclerc in a 2024 car to check the visibility.

The FIA had run the first version of the spray guards at a Silverstone test last year, but that was not considered a success. Ferrari also used a filming day on Friday to shake down its new aero package for this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

Meanwhile, Ferrari has confirmed the starting date for its most recent Mercedes hires Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio. As revealed by Autosport, Serra will join Ferrari in what has since been defined as head of chassis performance engineering, reporting to technical director Enrico Cardile. Both teams have now settled on a 1 October starting date for Serra. Former Virgin and Lotus F1 driver d’Ambrosio will join on the same date, as deputy team principal to Fred Vasseur and head of its driver academy. The Belgian was previously team principal of Venturi in Formula E. PABLO ELIZALDE & JAKE BOXALL-LEGGE

US judiciar y wades into A n d r e t t i c a s e FORMULA 1 The chairman of the United States’ House Judiciary Committee has opened a probe into Liberty Media’s denial of Andretti Global’s entry into Formula 1 in an escalation of political interest.

Committee chairman Jim Jordan has written a letter – acquired by American TV network NBC – to Liberty CEO Greg Maffei and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, demanding explanations for the decision-making process that has blocked Andretti’s hopes. Jordan says he wants answers to ensure that no illegal anti-competitive behaviour has taken place. He has demanded all documents and communications relating to the process for evaluating the new team entries and Andretti, and any communications related to

Mario and Michael Andretti at launch of

Silverstone HQ

the new team entry or anti-dilution fees in the Concorde Agreement.

Last week, several US Congress members wrote to F1 asking whether or not F1’s actions had put “unreasonable restraints on market competition” that might contravene US laws. Speaking during a press conference outside the US Capitol last week, Mario Andretti said: “We’ve done everything that’s been asked of us. I represented the US proudly in my F1 career. My proudest moments were standing on top of the podium with the American national anthem playing.” F1 declined to comment on the matter when approached by Autosport. JONATHAN NOBLE

16 MAY 2024 AUTOSPORT.COM 5