After a disappointing start to the season for Ferrari, they have highlighted errors with their wind tunnel, replaced key employees and now are fighting to beat Red Bull. It's unlikely they will succeed, but as long as they still have the belief, it's foolish to write them out. If Vettel is to win, the least they can do is make him work hard for his wins. The next step comes in Canada, and almost a month ago, Ferrari believed they would have a winning car by Canada - at least that was the plan. In theory the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will suit Ferrari - not only are aerodynamics less important here, but also Pirelli are bring their 2 softest compounds. The front wing has been one of the biggest problems this year. Although the new front wing concept introduced in Turkey increased front downforce and got rid of the massive understeer seen in the previous races, the front wing is still not good enough (and quite a simple design when compared to others on the grid). I hope Fry can sort things out. Already changes in Ferrari have been implemented, including the replacement of Aldo Costa and Marco de Luca with Pat Fry and Nicolas Hennel de Beaupreau respectively. In addition, Fry is trying to recruit more talent to Ferrari, and some of the rumoured names include: - Peter Prodromou - Head of Aerodynamics (Red Bull) - Rob Marshall - Chief Designer (Red Bull) - Tim Densham - Chief designer (Renault) - Jon Tomlinson -Chief Aerodynamicist (Williams) - resigned - Sam Michael - Technical Director (Williams) - resigned Ferrari promises a big update in Canada. While we are left to speculate what may arrive, it's likely that the Ferrari rear end will undergo significant improvements, especially to the diffuser, rear wing and floor - at least that's what is rumoured. The flexible front wing might finally arrive as well. The exhuasts could also be improved, but that's nothing more than speculation. What we do all think about Ferrari's chances in Canada, and for the rest of the season? Can Ferrari fight back this year with Fry as Technical Director?
The true effects of the replacements aren't usually felt until at least the next season, sometimes the season after that, as the 2012 car is probably already half completed as we speak. I know Mclaren famously are done by July usually, so i'm not sure how big an effect bringing all these people in will have immediately. Also, good luck getting people at red Bull to leave, they're going to walk to the Constructor's title again, and for a designer, that is the best you can get. Unless we can promise them a better position within ferrari than they already have, or a MASSIVE pay rise, they won't come. It'd be good though. All we need is Adrian Newey to learn italian, then come over too
Newey said he was approached by Ferrari in the past and he turned them down. Get Rory Byrne back and leave our guy alone
Byre put Newey in his place all those years. I'd love to see him come back. Unfortunately, Byrne's working on a Ferrari sports car (said to be the successor to the Enzo) - so it's unlikely he'll return to F1. If he does, I don't expect him to take a leading role either.
I'm always hoping for better, we should get some race wins this season but it's probably going to be too little too late. Massa will be made a scapegoat soon i think, which is a shame because of his loyalty to the team, but he isn't posing any sort of challenge to Fernando at all it seems at the moment.
It can be as much of a shame as it likes, at the end of the day Fernando is bossing Felipe. If we want to compete, we need 2 drivers that can input, not just Alonso, 1 track teams don't work anymore
I think it would be great if Ferrari updated their car into one that could win races and we could see Alonso chasing down Vettel's lead in the WDC because I really think that if Ferrari can get their car up to the Red Bull or even Mclaren level then Alonso is going to be very hard to beat.
Agreed, but the only problem is, as much as Ferrari can advance their car, they cnanot expect Red Bull and Mclaren to just let them catch up, although in many ways they've already caught up to Mclaren. Having said that, Ferrari were the first team of the big guns to bring out updates, and therefore probably understand those better than the other guys, so maybe there is more to come from the current Red Bull and Mclaren packages. Although, it does suggest Ferrari will also bring out their update next as well, Canada is what they targetted as victory time, therefore they must have a big package for Canada, presumably aero, aimed to good downforce without sacrificing top speed. When watching the Turkish GP, Ferrari had by far the highest top speed at the end of the straight between them, Red Bull and Mclaren. I know alot of this is set up, but there is nothing wrong at all with the top speed of the F150 Italia
The next step is clearly Bernie having a word with Red Bull along the lines of ' we could do with a mishap for a couple of races, to allow Ferrari and McLaren to catch up a bit. Our revenues will crash if Vettel wins the next 2 races'. Conspiracy theory? -you bet!
In the days when the FIA was basically run by Ferrari, that might've happened (shock horror conspiracy theory, but lets be honest, they got away with ALOT), but now, not going to happen, even if it'd make this season better. The TV deals are already signed up until end of next year, so money will keep coming in, as far as the teams are concerned
Remember John Iley? He was another Ferrari victim just like Chris Dyer - looks like he could be coming back to Ferrari: http://www.auto.it/autosprint/formula_1/2011/05/31-8339/ Iley da McLaren a Ferrari?
Replacement personnel very rarely have an immediate impact. The reason is that they must first get to grips with what they find themselves working with, and fully understand it before being able to 'take it forwards', as it were. Any updates due for Canada could of course be significant - but will have no connection with the replacement of personnel. Ferrari have a good car which is the equal of McLaren in my view and probably slightly ahead of Mercedes. However, these things are notoriously difficult to make definitive statements upon due to the fact that what we actually see is the result of a driver/car combination, and of course the drivers are all different. The only thing that seems clear is that Red Bull have a clear advantage and will be difficult to match, particularly in the hands of Vettel, who's style the car has very much been designed to suit.
The way I see it, in race pace: McLaren >>> Ferrari >>>>> Mercedes The best indicator of that was in Barcelona, where McLaren arguably had the fastest car, Alonso couldnt keep up because his car was lacking downforce - and this race was the last with Costa as TD. When it comes to mechanical grip, Ferrari are good but so are McLaren, in fact they are probably slightly better in this area. The MP4-26 seems to work better with the Pirelli tyres as well.
Yes, I agree that this is what we see. However, read the small print. - In my opinion that order is being defined by the drivers!
We all saw how quick the Mercedes were from the start, Nico was up to 5th into the first corner but yet again BS from Brawn and Norbert saying they sorted out rapid graining on the tyres at Turkey, in the end turned out to be all bollox.
im interested to see what those Red Bull copies on the Ferrari can do on a real track next time at montreal
Just joined here from 606, but I’ll jump into this. As a Ferrari fan I had hoped for better this season. Red Bull is very strong but there is not much wrong with Ferrari's car, it just needs a little extra. I always think that stability is the best thing for a F1 team (rules too), Ferrari have already decided that they needed a change and all I can do as a fan is hope that it works. If I’m honest, I hope that Ferrari can win races this year, but both championships have already gone.
welcome to the forum Happyal, Are Ferrari and Alonso in a stronger position than they were this time last year? I think Vettel may have upped a gear but the WCC is still up for grabs as Webber is not picking up good positions compared to mclaren and maybe Ferrari
Welcome Happyal! Yep it certainly isn't looking good for any other competitor if Vettel and Red Bull keep going like this for much longer. However, all that is required is for Vettel to have a couple of bad races and things could look very different. Who knows what may happen, especially once the new ruling on exhaust gases comes into affect.
