- 21 Jul 08, 05:09#56494
It's too early to say whether there is a "problem" at Ferrari, but there are some question marks. I think the main issue for them is McLaren have developed their car very well and substantially lifted its baseline performance. Ferrari fans are used to having a few tenths in their pocket but now that's not the case. I wonder if Ferrari are trying to re-establish performance parity with McLaren through set up changes, and are "reaching" beyond the baseline performance of the car and going backwards. In this regard I don't think it helps that none of Raikkonen, Massa, Gene or Badoer seem to be really top-of-the-class car developers. Who knows, it could all go the other way at the next race. Positive signs for Ferrari at Hockenheim were its fantastic top speed, the fact that Torro Rosso outperformed Red Bull, and the F2008's ability to use the softer tyre, illustrating the quality of, respectively, its aero-elasticity, engine and tyre-usage.
Question marks are: will the team go all out to develop the baseline performance of the F2008 over the off season? I wonder if they want it as much as McLaren. Development of the entirely new 2009 car (KERS, slicks, drastically different aero) will be a big resources drain and a lot of the work needed on the F2008 will be money thrown away for 2009. Is Ferrari up to spending whatever it takes, having already proven they're still winners post-Schumacher? Is Raikkonen up to the task of harnessing the team's resources and developing the car? He's no Schumacher in this regard, but I don't doubt his desire to be double world champion. Just perhaps his off track abilities. Time will tell.
Car not quick enough, lukewarm performances from both drivers. What's going on?
It's too early to say whether there is a "problem" at Ferrari, but there are some question marks. I think the main issue for them is McLaren have developed their car very well and substantially lifted its baseline performance. Ferrari fans are used to having a few tenths in their pocket but now that's not the case. I wonder if Ferrari are trying to re-establish performance parity with McLaren through set up changes, and are "reaching" beyond the baseline performance of the car and going backwards. In this regard I don't think it helps that none of Raikkonen, Massa, Gene or Badoer seem to be really top-of-the-class car developers. Who knows, it could all go the other way at the next race. Positive signs for Ferrari at Hockenheim were its fantastic top speed, the fact that Torro Rosso outperformed Red Bull, and the F2008's ability to use the softer tyre, illustrating the quality of, respectively, its aero-elasticity, engine and tyre-usage.
Question marks are: will the team go all out to develop the baseline performance of the F2008 over the off season? I wonder if they want it as much as McLaren. Development of the entirely new 2009 car (KERS, slicks, drastically different aero) will be a big resources drain and a lot of the work needed on the F2008 will be money thrown away for 2009. Is Ferrari up to spending whatever it takes, having already proven they're still winners post-Schumacher? Is Raikkonen up to the task of harnessing the team's resources and developing the car? He's no Schumacher in this regard, but I don't doubt his desire to be double world champion. Just perhaps his off track abilities. Time will tell.
"In my opinion, the secret of speed consists of taking corners on the limit while balancing the car with the accelerator to keep it stable. The majority of drivers try to do it but some are too jerky which costs them time." MS
