A lot of the speculation is around the fact that stealing Sauber IP (sorry, having it handed over directly by a Sauber employee) would be relatively straightforward in terms of the work already done in Sauber with the Ferrari engine and gearbox. Alonso was clearly impressed with the Sauber in Malaysia. Adopting McLaren's solution might be a more troublesome undertaking. It is only speculation, as you say, but Autosprint had links into Ferrari once upon a time and their speculation is still given some credence I believe, especially during a drought like this week has been. I think their picture captured everyone's imagination, though. According to twitterfolk*, Ferrari's main problem is that the exhaust solution didn't work, so they had to reduce the rake to make the diffuser work, and then stiffen the rear suspension because of the reduced angle. Adopting an exhaust solution that apparently does work could be the way to unlock the car's potential and, hopefully, they'll be in a position to test it in Mugello. *Crucial_Xtreme, Scarbs, F1enigma et al.
Here's one of the five updates - a new engine cover: please log in to view this image It's more circular and looks similar to the one they were using at some races last year. The sidepods look the same in the picture but if there are any changes in that area, it wouldn't be on display. I suspect Fry is referring to the sidepods when he says some parts have been "brought forward". There might be a new front wing or nose as well - why else would it be covered?
Theres some pretty large gaps in the panels there I suspect Ferrari may try a few things on Friday with a view to bringing them all together ready for Spain. Kind of a glorified test outing, just with more people watching.
Update 2/5, spotted by Crucial_Xtreme: please log in to view this image The old winglet is gone, and there's something new in the yellow circle.
No idea what that could be other than possibly keeping the airflow attached over the sidepod. I did read over the last week that Ferrari are struggling with lift from the sidepods. Perhaps it was being caused by the airflow detaching before it hit them either because the winglet didn't work or because it was intended to achieve something else that caused a knock-on effect. The new 'things' look very small compared to the expanse of the sidepods but I can't think what else they'd do. EDIT: elFranz on F1Technical suggests they're for maximising the flow into the radiators:
More Ferrari updates: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
please log in to view this image Speculation that this may be the duct for a Ferrari DDRS. I don't think the endplates can support any internal airflow and I doubt they'd be thinking of incorporating this yet.
RW endplates don't look fat enough: please log in to view this image Also why would they spend their time copying Mercedes when they have big problems they need to solve?
Half a second on top of what everyone else gains? That's optimistic. Pat Fry is rightly under pressure but to fire him this season would be faintly ridiculous.
There was a translation error from that user. It actually says Ferrari hope to gain at least half a second, and hope others don't make big gains. EDIT: From Twitter: Ferrari hopes to gain at Mugello real 0.4 (in the tunnel are given between 0.5 and 0.6) with the new aero package version 'basic' The version of 'basic' aero package of the F2012 are the sidepods / radiators and redesigned rear It is planned to retest the original exhausts, Domenicali said before. There is another solution available, type Sauber? The new package of sidepods / radiators has been a huge redesign effort, it's the key part of the evolution If the whole package works, there are additional pieces that will give more gain, but it is not clear how or when they shall bring [these parts] After solving traction and top speed, the balance of the F2012 would become the priority
Cokes and coanda, lift and acer ducts, all on the GazPad™: [video=youtube;mZgtebSAics]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZgtebSAics[/video]
