Ferrari have expressed their displeasure at a late regulatory adjustment by the FIA which they believe has disadvantaged both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
The Scuderia opted for a smaller turbo configuration during pre-season development, a decision that yielded impressive getaways at the opening rounds in Australia and China, where both drivers topped the timesheets after the first lap.
Speaking to The Race, a team representative branded the intervention "unfair," stating: "It was a bit harsh for us, I understand what they did for safety grounds, but the other option would have been to ask [the other cars] to start from the pit-lane if they think it was not safe."
The regulatory row comes as Formula One prepares to resume action following a fortnight's hiatus, with Mercedes' teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli sitting atop the drivers' championship.
Ferrari have blasted the late rule changes as "unfair" as Lewis Hamilton's struggles continues
| REUTERSHamilton currently finds himself 49 points adrift of the 19-year-old Italian, while also trailing his Ferrari teammate Leclerc by eight points in the standings.
The seven-time world champion's campaign has shown glimpses of promise despite a difficult transition to Maranello.
He secured fourth place at the season opener in Melbourne before claiming his maiden Ferrari podium with third in Shanghai.
However, subsequent outings in Japan and Miami yielded only sixth-place finishes, leaving the 41-year-old with ground to make up as the season progresses.
Lewis Hamilton is 49 points off the top of the table, occupied by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli
|REUTERS
Jenson Button has backed Hamilton to extend his career beyond the current campaign, though the 2009 world champion cautioned that Ferrari will ultimately determine his future if results fail to materialise.
Button acknowledged the difficulties Hamilton faced during his maiden season at Maranello, telling the Press Association: "Obviously, last year was not the easiest for Lewis.
"He spent so many years in a team (Mercedes) that he knew really well, and had a lot of support from that team."
The former McLaren driver noted that adapting at 40 presents greater challenges than earlier in one's career, but expressed satisfaction at Hamilton's improved competitiveness this term.
"If he is not quick, the team will make a decision," Button added.
"You can't just leave it up to a driver when they retire."
The debate over regulations extends beyond Ferrari's specific grievance, with several leading drivers demanding greater involvement in shaping the sport's direction.
Hamilton has been vocal about the need for change, declaring: "We do engage with the FIA and F1; F1's more often a little bit more responsive. But being that we're not stakeholders - we don't have a seat at the table currently, which I think needs to change."
Reigning world champion Lando Norris has echoed those sentiments, telling RacingNews365 that drivers want "flat-out racing" rather than the current "yo-yo racing" created by battery management systems.
The McLaren driver advocated for lighter cars and improved tyres to allow closer competition, likening his ideal vision to karting where vehicles can follow bumper-to-bumper.