Why FIA send delegates to Ferrari and McLaren factories
As the 2025 Formula 1 season is set to kick off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne next weekend, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced plans to visit the factories of two prominent teams: Ferrari and McLaren. According to reports, FIA delegates will be paying a visit to Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, Italy, as well as McLaren’s base in Woking, United Kingdom.
The purpose of these visits is not explicitly stated, but it is likely that the FIA delegates will be conducting routine inspections to ensure that both teams are complying with the governing body’s regulations and technical requirements. With the new season just around the corner, the FIA is keen to ensure that all teams are on a level playing field and that no one has gained an unfair advantage.
Meanwhile, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has been sharing his thoughts on the upcoming season, and his predictions make for interesting reading. In an interview with (link unavailable), Marko expressed his belief that McLaren and their driver Lando Norris are the team to beat in the 2025 championship.
Marko’s comments were based on the results of the preseason testing, where McLaren appeared to have a slight edge over their rivals. “In my opinion, it will be a three-way or four-way battle between McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and us,” Marko said. “Although, if you look at the test results, McLaren already has a head start. That was the case in both the short and long runs. The current favorite is clearly McLaren.”
Marko’s assessment will undoubtedly add to the hype surrounding McLaren’s chances in the 2025 season. The team has been working hard to improve their car and have made some significant changes to their lineup, including the promotion of Oscar Piastri to a full-time drive.
While it’s difficult to predict with certainty how the season will unfold, Marko’s comments suggest that McLaren is definitely a team to watch. With their strong preseason testing performance and a talented driver lineup, they could be the dark horses of the championship.
As the FIA delegates prepare to visit Ferrari and McLaren’s factories, the teams will be focused on fine-tuning their cars and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. With the Australian Grand Prix just around the corner, the excitement is building, and fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the start of the new season.
