At this early stage in the season, I don't think Ferrari will react in a different way. I do expect Massa to outperform Alonso at this GP. But why would Ferrari: 1. Turn their attentions to Massa? 2. Use team orders for Alonso's benefit? It's a long championship - Ferrari should only use team orders when it's clear that one driver has no realistic chance of winning the title. They do not want to be making decisions that could potentially cost them the championship at the end of the year.
I think this year we'll get to see if that's true. Historically I think Massa has outperformed his team mates in Turkey, and that the circuit has suited the Ferrari design philosophy. This year I'm expecting the Ferrari effect to have disappeared so we'll see if Massa's any better than his car there. I'd love to be proved wrong, by the way - I always like to see Massa stick it to his illustrious team mates.
But if there is an opportunity for Alonso to pass Massa and it's not taken, and at then end of the year, Alonso loses the championship by a couple of points, that would be crap! But on the other hand, Alonso might have lost it, and by letting him go past Massa couple have missed his last chance for a WDC... AAARGH, my brain hurts!
The Ferrari was dreadful at Tukey last year and Massa outqualified and finished higher up than Alonso. Massa has also won half the GPs at Turkey, he seems to be very good at anti-clockwise tracks. I am a Alonso fan but I want it to be competitive between the two so I hope Massa can get a bit of a lead before Alonso goes on his inevitable charge.
Exactly! Ferrari would not want to take such risks early on in the season unless their drivers were Schumacher and Barrichello.
I'm an Alonso fan myself but I'm becoming more despondent about his will to turn 2011 around with each race...
Yep, apart from 05 when he retired from the race. Also he was outqualified by Kimi in 09, but it was by a small margin. Other than that, he's owned all teammates, which is quite impressive! Looking ahead to 2011, he will probably face the same situation as last year - the car just not being competitive enough.
There is always hope, he had a bad first half to 2010 but still almost won the WDC. If Ferrari can fix their car and wind tunnel then I am very confident that Alonso will be in contention for the WDC.
As far as i'm aware, the following teams will be bringing updates: Red Bull: KERS McLaren: Aero refinements to bodywork Ferrari: Flexible front wing, rear suspension, (rumoured: exhaust, diffuser, sidepods) Mercedes: Cooling system, rear wing, KERS Renault: Front wing, nose, air intake, floor Sauber: exhaust (practice only) Virgin: Nose, floor, exhaust, rear suspension, wings HRT: Something unspecified Have I missed anything?
Thanks for that!! Looking at those I think that its clear(for the moment at least) that all Red Bull need to do is fix the KERS issues they have had and then the will be well ahead of the field.
Williams: Front wing, rear wing, brakes Force India: Front wing HRT: “aerodynamic and mechanical updates”
Speaking of the "new teams", just seen this interview with Heikki Kovalainen, who reckons Team Lotus can gain a second a lap with the upgrade they have for spain (not turkey, but this wasn't worth a new thread), a second would really put them in the midfield, I'll be very impressed if thats true, and at this rate of improvement they could be looking at points by the end of the season.
ahhhh *Throws turkey bones and leftovers in bin* build up to turkish GP is finally here! Also my girlfriend is out on a hen do the night before so I will have a free house for much of the afternoon without interuption. This is too perfect.... ...TOUCH WOOD! TOUCH WOOD!
More news on Ferrari... They did a straight line test at Vairano on the 28th - one day before the filming day that Massa did. Jules Bianchi was driving the car. I was very surprised that there were no pictures of the test, and they tested different aerodynamic configurations. Apparently, the test proved that wind tunnel issues had now been fixed, and the Ferrari we see in Turkey will only have part of the new planned developments fitted. The source claims that at Turkey, we will have a new front wing, new rear wing (probably means more reliable DRS) and modified brake ducts. Also Ferrari are pushing for developments in Barcelona and Monaco - especially to the exhaust and the underbody. http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/formel-1/ferrari-aerodynamiker-machen-dampf-3706670.html
I think Ferrari could be contenders this weekend. They seem to think they have found the problem with the wind tunnel and made some amendments which should bring them up with Red Bull and Mclaren.
Looks to be both Ferrari and Mercedes will be taking to the leaders The Black Stallions and Silverarrows matching up against a can of Red Bull and an old packet of ***s. We'll see who's on top when the cars are finally sorted.
