SHOULD FERRARI CONSIDER WRITING OFF 2009, CONCENTRATE ON 2010? ***SPOILER***

(COMPLETE INTERVIEW NEXT POST)

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali says the Italian team may switch its development focus onto the 2010 car as early as next month if its fortunes do not improve dramatically in the next few races.

The Maranello-based outfit has failed to score a point in the first three races of the season, its worst start to a campaign since 1981, and is now facing a very tough challenge to get itself back in the championship hunt.

Speaking at Shanghai on Sunday night, Domenicali refused to rule out the possibility of the team abandoning the development push on its 2009 car if matters do not improve when a double-decker diffuser version of its F60 is raced for the first time at the Spanish Grand Prix.

When asked at what point the team would decide whether to start concentrating on the 2010 car, Domenicali said: "I think for sure we will see after Spain where we are. In that period we will see really what can be the situation - so when we come back to Europe basically."

Although much has been made of the advantage that the 'diffuser gang' of Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota have enjoyed in the first races of the season, Domenicali does not believe that copying their rear-end concept will be the whole answer to Ferrari's woes.

"No. The situation is much more complicated than that," he said. "That device will give you a benefit. But it would be wrong to believe that it is the only key. We have seen, for example, the Red Bull car has done a really great job.

"They had more time, they switched their project much earlier than us and that is the reality and we need to consider it. The other thing that we have to understand well is that today in certain conditions, look at the first part of the race, our car was not too bad at all. So we need to understand a lot of things."

Domenicali added that he would not be forced into a panic about Ferrari's situation, or revise the team's targets for the season.

"I think we have to wait," he said. "We need to stay cool. It is not easy, I know, but we need to stay cool because there are too many things that can change very quickly. The priority number one is to move from zero points."

 

Q. Last year in wet conditions the Ferrari struggled to get heat into its tyres. Are we seeing a similar characteristic now?

Stefano Domenicali: It is very unfortunate because if you look at the first part of the race, Felipe did a fantastic job. He was really much faster than Sebastian Vettel, who was with low fuel and we had more fuel. So, honestly, in that condition it was perfect. Then unfortunately we had this problem on electronic control which made the car stop, as it was a big shame.

I am pretty sure that with that strategy, and the fact that he did fantastic laps, we would have been on the podium - no doubt.

Q. How frustrating is it to have a start to the season like that?

SD: For sure it is very tricky. It is not easy. That is, I would say, normal to say. The only way we can get out from the moment is to work hard and to try to stay cool. We know we have a lot of things to do, and there is no reason to get into a panic mode because that would be worse. I know we can count on the fact that everyone in the team together with Felipe and Kimi – we need to react and work because that is the only way we can get out from this moment.

The other thing that we have to say is that for sure in the first three races, there are so many elements that came out and changed the situation radically that we need to keep on pushing because when we will have the new package in Spain, I think there we will see where we are. But it is too early to draw easy conclusions now after three races.

Q. After this start, do you have to change your targets for the season now or wait for a new package?

SD: I think we have to wait. We need to stay cool. It is not easy, I know, but we need to stay cool because there are too many things that can change very quickly. The priority number one is to move from zero points.

Q. Michael Schumacher said on German television that Ferrari must decide soon whether to keep pushing hard this season with no guarantee of success, or give up on it and focus attention to winning the 2010 championship. When do you see that point arriving?

SD: I think for sure we will see after Spain where we are. In that period we will see really what can be the situation – so when we come back to Europe basically.

Q. Do you believe that simply adding a double-decker diffuser will transform your season?

SD: No. The situation is much more complicated than that. That device will give you a benefit. But it would be wrong to believe that it is the only key. We have seen, for example, the Red Bull car has done a really great job. They had more time, they switched their project much earlier than us and that is the reality and we need to consider it. The other thing that we have to understand well is that today in certain conditions, look at the first part of the race, our car was not too bad at all. So we need to understand a lot of things.

Q. You tested over the winter in Bahrain. Could that be an advantage for you?

SD: Difficult to say. For sure for us it will be important because at least we know something more about the track in terms of set-up. But we cannot expect to have anything new this week. We need to solve the issue with the KERS, but we will see there. There shouldn't be any rain there. Once again, certain cars may be very strong, so we will see where we are.

Q. Your drivers have said they would like KERS back for Bahrain if possible. Is it going to happen?

SD: This is what we would like to do.

Q. Can you get the problem sorted?

SD: That is the thing we have to do, and that is our target for sure.

 

Hola Brian!

I believe that after the results of Spain, with the revised "diffusered" F60, there is no choice but to make the call.

 

I like the point you made in another thread, there is little difference in the rules (at this time anyway) between 2009 and 2010. So the current car is certainly the best testbed for 2010. May be this is the time to experiment with radical changes for 2010 since there may be nothing to lose. The only issue will be if one of the drivers is not to return in 2010, what is his motivation to help with future development?

 

This is probably the most significant comment in this interview. The diffusers are not the cure-all.


Q. Do you believe that simply adding a double-decker diffuser will transform your season?

SD: No. The situation is much more complicated than that. That device will give you a benefit. But it would be wrong to believe that it is the only key. We have seen, for example, the Red Bull car has done a really great job. They had more time, they switched their project much earlier than us and that is the reality and we need to consider it. The other thing that we have to understand well is that today in certain conditions, look at the first part of the race, our car was not too bad at all. So we need to understand a lot of things.