Adrian Newey believes the RB7 has an advantage of 3-5 tenths over Ferrari. I have no idea how teams can say these sort of things, but then they have a lot more data then we do. Although he doesn't specifically say this advantage is over Ferrari, he goes on to say that Ferrari are very strong, and recent comments by Horner back this up. http://www.corriere.it/sport/specia...ey_257d5514-5562-11e0-a0df-9d4cc30fa8b1.shtml This advantage is for Barcelona, where aero is very important. In that sense, Ferrari have closed the gap from what it was last year, and also Melbourne is less aero dependent, so we could see a very interesting battle for pole position. I see that Mark Webber has yet again criticized the adjustable rear wing and it's use: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/03/24/webber-drs-overtaking-aid/ Perhaps this is more evidence that the Red Bull rear wing system is not as effective as McLaren or Ferrari. While drivers like Alonso can activate it (in qualifying) coming out of each corner using a pedal, Red Bull drivers will be pressing buttons - which could distrct them and slow them down. And with soft tyres at their optimum for only one lap, these guys have got to nail it first time. I am hoping these factors help Alonso on his way to pole.
3-5 tenths in Barcelona must mean that Ferrari are faster in the other "less aero dependant" tracks like Melbourne/Sepang etc. If they were 1s last year that must mean Ferrari should be alot closer and Alonso the WDC
Where do you think Ferrari have made their gains? As we go further into a new set of regulations the field will become more compressed. Ferrari look to have made gains on high speed aero, but RBR will probably be closer to them on power circuits such as Monza. Ultimately this iterative design process favours the teams who are behind because they can cut the lead, I still expect Red Bull to be in front though.
