The Ferrari SF-25s are under investigation in Japan after the F1 Free Practice sessions at the Suzuka circuit. The stewards called the Maranello team at the end of FP2 for failing to comply with the race director’s directives. This investigation is shared with Aston Martin, which has also come under scrutiny by the stewards for the same reasons and within the same time frame.
Very little was seen in the first two practice sessions in Suzuka. The numerous red flags in the afternoon severely hindered the teams’ work, preventing them from performing adequate long runs. In terms of single-lap pace, the grid seems tight, but McLaren stands out as usual: the two MCL39s have no rivals on the Japanese Friday and confirm their status as strong favorites.
Ferrari showed very positive signs in the first sector, the snake section, but lost ground in the slower parts. The battle with Mercedes and Red Bull is wide open, but the two Papaya cars remain too far ahead. However, at the end of FP2, came the stewards’ communication: the Maranello team (along with Aston Martin) was summoned by the race director.
Ferrari Under Investigation: Which Directives Were Not Followed?
The document published by the FIA refers to the procedures for how the cars must line up in the “fast lane” — the lane closest to the barriers — before a restart. Drivers must form an orderly queue, entering it at the first safe opportunity, restarting according to their positioning order, without overtaking.
The stewards are investigating the method of access to this preferred lane, without specifying which Ferrari and Aston Martin cars violated the rules. Any potential penalty, however, is likely to be limited to a reprimand or a small fine for the team.
