Ferrari breaks curfew

02/11/2012

In its fight to keep in touch with Red Bull as the 2012 season reaches its climax, Ferrari had to resort to breaking the official curfew ahead of today's opening practice session.

The curfew, which in Abu Dhabi runs from 04:00 to 10:00 is supposed to level the playing field in terms of the amount of work teams can do on their cars whilst also allowing personnel some much needed rest.

Team are allowed four exceptions a year, Ferrari today using the first of its 'get out of jail' cards. However, rather than working late, the Italian team sent in crew members early as new parts arrived from Maranello.

In an official statement, the FIA's technical delegate Jo Bauer reported that Ferrari personnel were "within the confines of the circuit during the six-hour period which commenced at 0400".

The Italian team laughed off the curfew break claiming that team members had been enjoying a "nice Italian breakfast" with coffee and colazione.