'Request for clarification submitted on new Ferrari car'

A request for clarification has reportedly been made around the design of the new Ferrari car. Formu1a.uno reports that at least one team has submitted a request to the FIA to put a specific part of the Ferrari under extra scrutiny.

The component in question is the so-called 'S-duct', a swinging air passage in the Ferrari's chassis that moves air from the bottom of the car to the upper part of the side. This cools the engine and improves aerodynamics. The part was clearly visible in the Ferrari recently unveiled.

In principle, a request for clarification does not have to mean anything. The result may be that the FIA officially determines that the part in question is indeed within the rules. However, there have been times in the past when such a request for clarification resulted in the FIA indeed banning certain choices. A recent example is Mercedes' 2022 front wing.

The FIA and Ferrari have not yet publicly commented on the situation. In all likelihood, Ferrari will run the test days in Bahrain this week with the current design. Should the FIA indeed rule that the part is not within the rules, Ferrari will have to come up with a new design which has thus been given reduced testing time.