Claims that Sauber's impressive new C23 is a direct copy of Ferrari's F2003-GA have been rejected outright by motor racing's governing body, the FIA. This is according to a story in this week's Autosport Magazine.

In the wake of suggestions by rival teams that Sauber's 2004 contender is merely a repainted Ferrari, and is therefore against Formula 1's technical regulations, the FIA has insisted that there are no grounds for complaint.

A high-level source within the FIA said that it had been consulted during the entire design process of the C23, and that the paperwork, designs and manufacturing were all fully legal.

The source said: “Everything is above board. The car is not the same as the Ferrari, but it is very similar.”

Peter Sauber, the owner of the Sauber team, said: “All cars are permanently evolving and teams look at what others do. There are lots of similarities throughout the paddock.

“In our case, this is more so because we are using both the Ferrari engine and Ferrari gearbox.”