Ferrari has discovered the cause of its engine failure in Formula 1's first test in Barcelona last week and it says the problem is "not a cause for concern." Sebastian Vettel stopped on track on Friday morning, costing Ferrari valuable track time while the SF1000's power unit was replaced. Vettel's damaged unit was then returned to Maranello, where it was discovered that the problem was caused by a "non structural" problem with the lubrication system. The team noted: "The unit which had the problem last Friday has been stripped and checked in Maranello. "The fault was traced to a non-structural problem with the lubrication system. "It's not a cause for concern and work to correct it is already underway." Ferrari was only eighth in the tally of laps completed in the first test, with its 354 tours some 140 fewer than Mercedes, while Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto suggested that "the others are faster than us at the moment", with Vettel and Charles Leclerc down in 14th and 16th places in the combined times. Leclerc explained after the first day that Ferrari had adopted a different strategy to 2019 when it topped the times in the first test, and the team statement added that Ferrari "will start working on performance, while carrying out qualifying and race simulations" in this week's second three day test. Autosport understands that the team will run revised front and rear wings and engine cover this week. Vettel, who will start the second test on Wednesday morning and have the SF100 to himself on Thursday while Leclerc takes over on Wednesday afternoon and the final day on Friday, insisted last week that stretching the legs of the latest power unit was "not on the agenda" at the first test. "I think right now the target is not to prove the maximum power of the engine, the target is to do as many laps as possible," he said. "Obviously, we've done a lot in terms of mileage on the benches to make sure the car is reliable. "Ramping up the engine and so on, it's probably not something you want to do in testing and certainly not to show everyone, so it's not on the agenda as far as I know." https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/148410/ferrari-identifies-cause-of-testing-engine-failure
I like the engagement Mercedes provides to F1 fans. We can hope Ferrari are innovating and do well this year!
+27 While the dominance of MB is boring, you have to applaud them for what they are contributing to the sport. Including engine delivery to other teams.
love this; in other words “ your all a bunch of suckers if you thought a trick steering system, that could have been banned, was all we brought to the game this year. So here, let me show you the stuff you will eventually spot anyway”. LOL I wonder where Ferrari’s release is; or did I miss something? As said above; good fan engagement, full marks. On trick steering, I wonder whether you could get a similar affect with something like eliptical ball joints or something like that!?
Technical excellence and team efficiency are never boring to me. Mercedes has set new standards in F1.
https://www.planetf1.com/news/mercedes-ferrari/ Analysing the data from the opening pre-season test, Mercedes has asked why Ferrari was running its “PU consistently at much lower levels” than rival teams.
You are kidding, right? a) When Williams had a half decent car, whenever it challenged Mercedes Williams wasn't authorized to use certain engine maps b) Mclaren was not allowed certain engine maps c) Mercedes refused to deliver an engine to Red Bull
Selling engines is not a great business anymore since they capped the cost, but you can bet that Mercedes or anyone doesn´t sell them for the good of the sport: they just want some revenue from their investment and political influence. BTW, I´ve just read that Renault has protested Stroll´s pink Mercedes. Although I suppose that the protest won´t go too far as both bodyworks would need to be identical or they´d have to proove that Mercedes sent them the blueprints to make a very close copy.
So erm, Mercedes nor Ferrari is offering anything more than a engine deal. Lets not give fake praise where it isn't due.
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11942350/f1-testing-ferrari-already-playing-catch-up-ahead-of-crucial-last-week Binotto on Ferrari's "difficult" first week of testing and reasons for "concern"; Plus, on why Vettel and Leclerc are equals, with a catch... By Matt Morlidge Last Updated: 25/02/20 12:30pm
Exactly. I’m so tired of Mercedes SOP. I’m so tired of the favoritism to Mercedes being so obvious. At least try to hide it.