I have been reading up on what Ferrari has been doing about the F150 in a couple Italian articles. A few key points below: - The improvement surprised everyone, according to Andrea Stella (was worth a second) - He also said that they had nowhere near the amount of downforce earlier in the year, than they could have had. - He is reluctant to use the word 'b-spec' but in some extent it was. - New rear wing reduces Drag - Ferrari has butterfly opening. - They were working on this exhaust since Spain - Developed in Maranello, and Cologne wind tunnels - The working methods and practices have been changed a little since Pat became the TD. some methods he used at Mclaren. - And lastly, there will be some bodywork upgrades for Germany. I sense a change in F1 development direction in that teams will no longer call it quits mid-season to develop the following year's car, but rather due to a lack of testing they will continue developing the current car in the interest of understanding how it will affect the following car.
Well, as I was saying I don't think it has anything to do with being too late any longer. It's all about learning what works and what doesn't because there is no longer testing and wind tunnels only give so much data. I can really see F1 going to a constant arms race where regardless of a teams performance at the end of the year they will keep updating the car. Knowledge is power etc
they use a wind tunnel in cologne? the toyota wind tunnel?? just googled it myself, yes, toyota wind tunnel, because the tunnel in maranello has problems and is being repaired.
The wind tunnel in Maranello is being upgraded and tweaked to give better results. The toyota wind tunnel in cologne is being used temporarily, and there are some very serious talks to use the cologne factory as a base for the B team.
That got addressed. No longer an issue and hence I'm not too surprised they finally found some aero improvements. Brundle on BBC's pitwalk mentioned that the Ferrari was the most modified car on the grid. With some luck we might see Fernando more often on the podium, perhaps even on the highest step. It would make for a better show. But as far as the WDC is concerned, that game is over.
That ship has indeed sailed but this certainly paints a much better picture for next year. I believe Ferrari has learned a ton already this year which will do nothing but benefit them. As of a couple races ago I was deeply concerned as they seemed to be stagnating. Mclaren on the other hand, I bet we will not see the ghastly sidepods next year and I'll leave it at that.
I have no idea whether Ferrari will do well next year or thereafter but I'm pretty certain that by 2014 they will be in the swing of things thanks to the new engine rules.
