Ferrari accused by ‘paddock rumours’ of using illegal system during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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The 2024 Formula 1 season has seen the grid converge like never before, leaving every team to try and eke out every possible advantage.

McLaren changed their rear wing after being accused of using a double DRS following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Red Bull complained about McLaren’s brake covers, while their performance started to dip when the FIA made a change to the rules on the parts used within the brakes.

When the margins are this fine on the grid, teams are looking to maximise the performance of their car, while also scrutinising their rivals constantly.

A report from the Italian outlet Autosprint has shared more details about what happened in the paddock at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

McLaren were accused of injecting water into their tyres by Red Bull, a trick they believed the team learned from their former employees.

It’s against the rules in F1 to do this and no evidence has been found that the McLaren-based team are doing this.

Now, it turns out that Ferrari were also accused of using the same trick.

Charles Leclerc narrowly missed out on the podium in the Grand Prix, while Carlos Sainz found the barriers twice during qualifying and the race itself.

The team are in a Constructors’ Championship battle with McLaren and Red Bull and unsurprisingly, all three teams are watching each other very closely.

Ferrari accused of using illegal tyre cooling system at the Brazilian Grand Prix

The report from Autosprint shares how Red Bull team principal Christian Horner raised the alleged tyre cooling system McLaren were said to have been using.

However, they go on to say that ‘paddock rumours’ suggested that the ‘finger of blame’ was also pointed at Ferrari, although no evidence of any team using the system has been found at this point.

Horner wanted the FIA to investigate the existence of the system that was said to spray water inside the tyres through the spokes of the rims.

READ MORE: What Red Bull ‘spotted’ in the Formula 1 paddock before reporting McLaren to the FIA

This is said to keep the internal pressure of the tyre under control which can reduce the degradation and allow teams to run on the same tyres for longer and push harder.

It’s a system that was used between 2016 and 2018 by Red Bull who believe some of their old employees – now working for other teams – have taken with them, even though it’s been outlawed by the FIA.

The practice would produce a theoretical advantage but the practical application of the system and proving whether or not it has been used is another matter.

Ferrari already looking towards the 2025 season with one eye on winning the Constructors’ Championship

Throughout the 2024 season, Ferrari have been in the mix for podiums and race wins without ever looking like the dominant force.

Leclerc’s victory in Monaco was down to his incredible qualifying lap, while he pounced on some indecision from McLaren to win Ferrari’s home race at Monza.

They nearly pulled off a one-two finish in Mexico City, but Lando Norris’s inherent pace highlighted that McLaren should still win the title this year.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Ferrari will be very encouraged by their progress this year and bringing in Lewis Hamilton for Carlos Sainz should invigorate the team even more.

Hamilton is set to be given privileges by Ferrari that only Michael Schumacher enjoyed when he arrives in Maranello next year.

Alongside Leclerc, Ferrari will argue that they have the grid’s best pairing next year.

That’s as long as Hamilton’s struggles this season are down to the car, although his qualifying performances against George Russell might be raising one or two questions at Ferrari.