"Clarifying" of rules

[2fast748]

A few things have cropped up recently including the fuel pressure test, wing flex tests and now an oil test (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119687).

How come none of this intriguing stuff ever gets out before the FIA say something? Is the journo gravy train of F1 too valuable for a truly investigative reporter to exist?

[Drumroll]

How is a journalist going to do any "in depth" investigation into F1 technical regulations? the little "tweeks" that teams do are the things that make the difference. so whilst you may be able to see the slight curve change in a front wing, nobody outside a team (and often even within the team) is ever going to see all the little changes made to engines etc.

[rdjohn]

Very little in the sport is transparent. That is why it is hardly worth calling a sport - more big business with nasty undertones.

[Europa1]

How come the "tokens" are allowed this year (thank christ they are, they are the only slim hope any of the other teams have to catch Mercedes) when the FIA supposedly locked down the engine design? Here is an organisation that seems to have money to burn (despite selling the commercial rights to its crown jewel for a century for peanuts (has anyone at the FIA even been subject to an awkward conversation over that, let alone the full on, no holds barred, public bk roasting it deserved)), yes apparently couldn't even be arsed to pay a half decent lawyer to look over the rules to look for loopholes.

[John D.]

How would a lawyer spot loop holes in technical regulations?

[HarryFlatters]

John D. said:

How would a lawyer spot loop holes in technical regulations?

Because the loophole in this case wasn't a technical part. AIUI, the regulations stated that the engines had to be homologated by February, but didn't state the year. The clear implication was that the FIA meant Feb '14, but Ferrari challenged the FIA and won, and they managed to get another year's development out of them.

[rdjohn]

John D. said:

How would a lawyer spot loop holes in technical regulations?

You might have spotted the real problem here.

They probably allowed lawyers to draft them, rather than engineers.