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Ferrari admits having issues with aerodynamics
Source: Agencies |
September 9, 2011, Friday
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FERRARI team principal Stefano Domenicali acknowledged on Wednesday that current drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will have a "very, very difficult" time attempting to win this weekend at Monza.
Domenicali added that Ferrari's struggles with aerodynamics have let Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber gain too much of an edge, adding that the team's entire technical department at Maranello has been working "100 percent" on next year's car since July.
In his first season with Ferrari, Alonso won at Monza for the second time last year, and the local media is clamoring for a repeat, even though the Spaniard has won just one race this year. "Last year was fantastic but I don't think this year will be so easy, because there are more challengers who in qualifying have become more and more competitive," Domenicali said. "Over the last few races - Belgium aside - we have become competitive again, so the approach is try to give our all with the objective of winning, even though we know it's very, very difficult."
Between 1996 and 2006, Ferrari won seven times at Monza, with Michael Schumacher claiming five victories and Barrichello two. But since Domenicali replaced Jean Todt as Ferrari boss at the end of 2007, Ferrari's dominance has waned.
The technical department at Ferrari's Maranello base has been working "100 percent" on next year's car since July, with aerodynamics the biggest focus.
"We need to have a car with more downforce that can take advantage of the new tires better," said Domenicali, hinting how Ferrari has struggled with the introduction of adjustable rear wings. "Our goal is to start off competitive right away. That was our biggest problem not just this year but also last year."
There is one costly change Domenicali would like to see, a return to more testing. "We've gone from more than 90,000 kilometers per year to less than 10,000, which I think has been overly drastic. You've got to train more on the pitch than the changing room," Domenicali said.
Domenicali added that Ferrari's struggles with aerodynamics have let Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber gain too much of an edge, adding that the team's entire technical department at Maranello has been working "100 percent" on next year's car since July.
In his first season with Ferrari, Alonso won at Monza for the second time last year, and the local media is clamoring for a repeat, even though the Spaniard has won just one race this year. "Last year was fantastic but I don't think this year will be so easy, because there are more challengers who in qualifying have become more and more competitive," Domenicali said. "Over the last few races - Belgium aside - we have become competitive again, so the approach is try to give our all with the objective of winning, even though we know it's very, very difficult."
Between 1996 and 2006, Ferrari won seven times at Monza, with Michael Schumacher claiming five victories and Barrichello two. But since Domenicali replaced Jean Todt as Ferrari boss at the end of 2007, Ferrari's dominance has waned.
The technical department at Ferrari's Maranello base has been working "100 percent" on next year's car since July, with aerodynamics the biggest focus.
"We need to have a car with more downforce that can take advantage of the new tires better," said Domenicali, hinting how Ferrari has struggled with the introduction of adjustable rear wings. "Our goal is to start off competitive right away. That was our biggest problem not just this year but also last year."
There is one costly change Domenicali would like to see, a return to more testing. "We've gone from more than 90,000 kilometers per year to less than 10,000, which I think has been overly drastic. You've got to train more on the pitch than the changing room," Domenicali said.
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