Ferrari’s sporting director Diego Ioverno has chosen not to directly engage with the growing debate surrounding Mercedes’ Formula 1 engine ahead of the 2024 season opener in Melbourne. As the FIA intensifies its effort to clarify or adjust the technical rules involving engine compression, Ioverno spoke cautiously during Bahrain testing, emphasizing the evolving nature of the regulations.
Ongoing Rule Interpretation and Need for Clear Guidelines
Ioverno highlighted the complexity and openness to interpretation within the new regulations, which required extensive collaboration among the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams. He explained the current situation involves ongoing discussions as some aspects might still need clarification or alternative constraints:
“We’ve all been working on a foundation that’s still evolving,”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
“We’re still at a stage where some aspects may require clarification or, let’s say, different constraints.”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
He refrained from commenting specifically on the Mercedes engine issue, saying that every team interprets the rules to maximize performance, with the FIA acting as the ultimate arbiter:
“I won’t tell you what I think of Mercedes and the situation,”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
“Each of us studies the rules and tries to move within our limits, staying as close to the limit as possible. Then there’s a referee who will decide what’s on the pitch and what’s off.”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
“The goal of all of us involved in the sport – for the good of the sport – is to have a clear picture before Melbourne.”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
Strategic Meetings and Perspectives from Key Figures
With several meetings planned, including those at the Sporting Advisory Committee level, the FIA aims to eliminate uncertainties ahead of the first race. Adrian Newey of Aston Martin-Honda expressed a candid view when questioned about the controversy, noting a general consensus except for one manufacturer:
“I think everyone agrees, except for one manufacturer,”
Adrian Newey, Aston Martin-Honda Chief Technical Officer
“So I guess we’ll find out in Melbourne.”
Adrian Newey, Aston Martin-Honda Chief Technical Officer
Understanding the Scale of the 2026 Technical Shift and Energy Management Challenges
Beyond the immediate controversy, Ioverno underscored the monumental nature of the 2026 technical overhaul, describing it as one of the biggest in Formula 1 history. He noted ongoing efforts to grasp what the regulations permit and the associated risks, while so far not encountering major surprises:
“We’re talking about one of the biggest changes in the history of Formula 1,”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
“We’re trying to understand what these regulations allow, what the opportunities and dangers are. For now, there haven’t been big surprises.”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
Energy management remains a demanding factor for drivers adjusting to increased technical complexity. Ioverno acknowledged this challenge and emphasized the need to simplify driving tasks:
“The thing they still have to metabolise is managing the technical complexity,”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
“One of the goals will be to make the cars easier for the drivers.”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
Ferrari’s Internal Approach to Managing New Power Unit Technologies
In response to these challenges, Ferrari has restructured internally by forming dedicated teams to integrate driver input, energy use, the power unit, and car performance. Ioverno also mentioned the addition of specialists focused on fully leveraging the power unit’s new features:
“We’ve created groups that handle the interaction between drivers, energy, the power unit and the car,”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
“Yes, we’ve brought in new technicians specialised in understanding and using the power unit’s new features.”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
Ongoing Competition and Uncertainty About Team Performances
While assessing the current form and interpretations of the new regulations by various teams, Ioverno remained cautious about drawing firm conclusions early in the season. Displaying a hint of optimism, he remarked:
“The one I like best right now is ours,”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
“But maybe in six months I’ll change my mind.”
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari Sporting Director
The outcome of the FIA’s investigations and clarifications regarding engine regulations will be critical in setting the tone for the 2024 Formula 1 season. With the Melbourne Grand Prix approaching, teams and officials alike are keen to achieve a transparent and fair framework that supports competitive integrity and technological development.
