Ralf advises Ferrari to 'keep quiet' regarding the dispute over the Mercedes engine.

      "In the past, fuel also originated from sources where it shouldn't have."

      Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has advised Ferrari to remain silent amidst speculation that the Italian team is planning to file an official protest regarding an alleged loophole concerning Mercedes engines. Speaking on Sky Deutschland’s Backstage Boxengasse, Schumacher responded to reports suggesting that Ferrari, possibly with Honda and Audi, might dispute Mercedes at the season-opening Australian GP over an alleged advantage related to engine compression.

      "I think Ferrari, among all the teams, should refrain from speaking out," Schumacher remarked. "I vividly remember that in the past, fuel also came from sources it shouldn't have."

      The German was alluding to Ferrari's controversial engine in 2019, which rivals believed may have exceeded fuel-flow limits. While no wrongdoing was established, the FIA later released technical directives and reached a confidential settlement with Ferrari.

      Schumacher defended Mercedes' strategy, labeling it as a prime example of the grey areas within Formula 1. "If a regulation is structured in a way that allows for interpretation, and someone manages to take advantage of that successfully, then that's a gamble they embrace," he explained. "Five FIA engineers are working to stop 2000 engineers from coming up with a superior idea. That has always been the essence of Formula 1."

      Instead of criticizing Mercedes, Schumacher commended the team’s engineers for their audacity. "A great deal of time and resources go into such endeavors, and the results can be unpredictable," he stated. "The engineers at Mercedes have likely considered this thoroughly. I respect that – this is Formula 1 – it’s all about innovation."

      Schumacher noted that the FIA has so far permitted the concept after discussions with manufacturers, although another meeting is set for early February. Speculation has also included Red Bull, which initially denied employing a similar approach but has heavily recruited from Mercedes' power unit division in recent years.

      He added that the situation would be favorable for Alpine, which is now using customer Mercedes engines. "At Alpine, they must be pleased," he chuckled. "Finally, they have an engine that performs well. They always lagged behind by 30 to 50 horsepower."

      "I still remember the press conference with Flavio Briatore, where he mentioned he would resign if Alpine didn’t reach the podium this year. Let’s see if we need to remind him of that."

      As for Ferrari, Schumacher's message was straightforward. "Keep quiet and focus on your work," he advised. "You could have come up with this idea on your own."