FIA "not fully satisfied" Ferrari's 2019 F1 engine was legal

The FIA says that after its investigation "it was not fully satisfied" that Ferrari had fully complied with the regulations when operating its engine, but felt that it could not prove its case due to the complexities - and that any further action might result in a complicated legal case brought by the team.

Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Renault, AlphaTauri, Racing Point and Williams - the teams that don't run Ferrari engines - all put their names to yesterday's statement, noting that "we strongly object to the FIA reaching a confidential settlement agreement with Ferrari to conclude this matter."

They called for "transparency" and "full disclosure" on the matter.

In response the FIA stressed that both the possibility of a settlement and the confidentiality surrounding an investigation are provided for by its own Judicial and Disciplinary Rules [JDR].

It also makes clear that it is unhappy with the statement from the teams, noting that "it will take all necessary action to protect the sport and its role and reputation as regulator" of F1.

The full statement reads: "The FIA has conducted detailed technical analysis on the Scuderia Ferrari Power Unit as it is entitled to do for any competitor in the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"The extensive and thorough investigations undertaken during the 2019 season raised suspicions that the Scuderia Ferrari PU could be considered as not operating within the limits of the FIA regulations at all times.

"The Scuderia Ferrari firmly opposed the suspicions and reiterated that its PU always operated in compliance with the regulations.

"The FIA was not fully satisfied but decided that further action would not necessarily result in a conclusive case due to the complexity of the matter and the material impossibility to provide the unequivocal evidence of a breach.

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• How the FIA was able to settle with Ferrari over 2019 power unit

"To avoid the negative consequences that a long litigation would entail especially in light of the uncertainty of the outcome of such litigations and in the best interest of the Championship and of its stakeholders, the FIA, in compliance with Article 4 (ii) of its Judicial and Disciplinary Rules (JDR), decided to enter into an effective and dissuasive settlement agreement with Ferrari to terminate the proceedings.

"This type of agreement is a legal tool recognised as an essential component of any disciplinary system and is used by many public authorities and other sport federations in the handling of disputes.

"The confidentiality of the terms of the settlement agreement is provided for by Article 4 (vi) of the JDR.

"The FIA will take all necessary action to protect the sport and its role and reputation as regulator of the FIA Formula One World Championship".