[Jeff Higgins]

Mercedes were burning "oil" as well, just introducing it in a different manner. Their "oil" is about the same viscosity as our "gasoline", and can be used to significantly increase the available BTU's on board the car in a "fuel restricted" rule set.

We take for granted what constitutes "oil" and "gasoline". Both being petroleum distillates, there is a wide range of specific properties that can be classified as either. The FIA have had to very narrowly define the chemical properties of both, because the lines can blur considerably. Remember when Shell developed a "lightweight" gasoline for Ferrari? A few ounces in weight lighter per liter makes a difference...

And yes, Ferrari were accumulating unused fuel past the meter during part throttle running for use under full throttle. They technically never exceeded the allowable flow - at the meter. It's just that their flow at the meter didn't drop (much) when off the throttle like the rules makers assumed everyone understood that it would. Ferrari found an unstated loophole and took advantage. Problem is, when that becomes the cornerstone of your design, once it is found out and "clarified", you are kind of left out in the cold.

I love seeing Ferrari suffer. I hate what they did first to Alonso and now to Seb. I remember Alonso saying he "spent too many sad years at Ferrari". They are simply too Italian to win in F1 anymore - too arrogant, egotistical, and technically incompetent. The days of winning on "passion" are long past - engineering wins today.

I've worked with too many Italian companies - I've seen this all first hand. We yanked contracts from major Italian aerospace companies because of their arrogance, laziness, and technical incompetence. It's a cultural thing that they cannot cover up anymore - the margins are too thin these days. There aren't many secrets left. They lack the discipline to knuckle down, roll up their sleeves, and do the really hard work. The only way Ferrari will ever rise again is to find another outsider, another Ross Brawn... But even if they did, they would be too arrogant to hire him...