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#129444
From autosport.com:

By Jonathan Noble Friday, June 26th 2009, 20:21 GMT

Ferrari has dropped a firm hint that it will soon switch its focus on to the 2010 car, with its current F60 having failed to prove a match for the race-winning Brawn and Red Bull Racing cars.

With Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen having scored just one podium finish so far this year, the team has little chance of turning its fortunes around in time to battle for the title.

And that is why Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has suggested that the team will soon start shifting its efforts on to making sure that it gets its 2010 car spot on.

"I am confident we can improve our performance in the next races, but having said that it is quite difficult if not impossible really to dramatically change the car during the season without tests," di Montezemolo told the official Ferrari website.

"When you have a car at the beginning of the season with certain characteristics it is difficult to change it during the season between one race and the other.

"But I am very confident we can improve our performances in the next race, and then we will be fully concentrated to next year's car, without KERS, with clear rules after the important agreement that we have been very pleased to find with the FIA last week."

Di Montezemolo has once again blamed the early season uncertainty over double-decker diffusers for playing a part in Ferrari's troubles this season.

"Unfortunately we started the season with grey rules," he said. "It is difficult to give a correct interpretation, and the proof is that the three teams that have won the last F1 world championship - like Ferrari, McLaren and Renault have made the same interpretation of the rules, and they are not as competitive as before.

"This is one of the reasons of our battle, to have rules more stable, clear, transparent, and we have done the car with the KERS, it means more weight on the car and a lot of other teams have not done the KERS.

"So if the federation wants to introduce the KERS, it has to be the same for everybody. Now I think it is time to go back to clear rules."


Ferrari could get a couple of podiums and maybe fluke a race win if the circumstances allow, but they've absolutely no chance of winning the title. They'd be much better making sure they're competative next season than chasing after the impossible in 2009.

McLaren must follow suit.
#129446
By the law of averages of course :P

Whereas BMW have said they will continue to look at this year, surely Renault need to follow Ferrari... I doubt it though.

Wise move Ferrari.
#129447
The old order should return to the front next season.

I hope so. I'm missing Ferrari and McLaren battles.
#129448
Realistically, can any team that did not start off competitive really afford to carry on with this year? Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing, Toyota and Williams have good cars and will definitely want to carry on fighting this year (particularly Williams, who could no doubt use the money from finishing third or fourth in the WCC). And they also have solid platforms for next year's cars, whereas the other teams do not and will require a lot more work. Hopefully these four teams can remain competitive next year, but the others can be up there as well. I'd like to see more different winners than we had in 2008 if possible. :)
#129450
Realistically, can any team that did not start off competitive really afford to carry on with this year? Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing, Toyota and Williams have good cars and will definitely want to carry on fighting this year (particularly Williams, who could no doubt use the money from finishing third or fourth in the WCC). And they also have solid platforms for next year's cars, whereas the other teams do not and will require a lot more work. Hopefully these four teams can remain competitive next year, but the others can be up there as well. I'd like to see more different winners than we had in 2008 if possible. :)


I agree with you Denthul, I just feel that "normal service will resume shortly". I dunno if that is good or bad for Formula One. Really, i'd much rather see a more competitive field.
#129451
Apparently Ed Wood - a key designer at Williams - is already focusing 90% of his time on 2010's FW32.

I'm not sure whether that is totally true or not because you wouldn't risk starting this early when the 2010 regulations have not been fully finalised yet.
#129484
The problem I have with the title battles at the moment is that they're all nicey nicey. :loveyoutoo::yawn: When McLaren and Ferrari compete with one another for championships, the gloves are off. 2007 and 2008 were ruined with politics, but they were the most engaging Formula One seasons since 1998 to 2001 odds.
#129504
problem is as Mario Theissen has said, the aero regs arent changing next season so whats good for next year is good for this year too! on the other hand im confused by the whole FOTA Vs FIA outcome, im not sure on if KERS is staying or going or if any other regs are changing after the compromise anyone?
#129508
Montezemelo said that new car will be designed without KERS, and that means it has to be different than this year car. And, it's obvious that they think there won't be KERS next season.

So, I've expected cause it was obvious that they can't catch front runners.
#129511
So with no KERS the car weight balance will still change drastically next season with larger fuel tanks. Also Bridgestone are bringing slimmer front tyres last i heard so that will make a fairly large change to the cars handling.
#129512
I think McLaren are adopting the approach of using the 09 car for testing now

they changed the balance for Silverstone and removed KERS.

they might say "were trying to win" to keep the sponsors and fans happy but i think they have gone to 2010 already to be honest.
#129514
The problem I have with the title battles at the moment is that they're all nicey nicey. :loveyoutoo::yawn: When McLaren and Ferrari compete with one another for championships, the gloves are off. 2007 and 2008 were ruined with politics, but they were the most engaging Formula One seasons since 1998 to 2001 odds.


Also the two drivers in the top cars are nicey nicey drivers. Best bit of Silverstone was Alonso Lewis and Kubica-RACERS!!!
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