- 19 Apr 09, 18:47#109847
But optimising the performance of the '09 car over this season and building up the knowledge and resources to optimise the performance of the '10 car are very different things. Particularly since the Ferrari car was built to a quite different interpretation of the regulations than the current official interpretation. That's the crucial thing. Even if the letter of the regulations hasn't changed, what Ferrari believes them to mean has changed. And from a practical car design point of view, that's as good as a change in regulations.
Nobody has said that they are going to start completely from scratch. But fundamentally, their strategy for developing the car will be quite different if they are trying to do their most to win this year's championship from where they are now, compared to if they write this season off and concentrate on being strong in 2010. Because in the former situation they have to develop car technology which finds the best compromise between what is ideal and what can reasonably be added to the current car. While in the former they are not limited in the same way. As a simple example, if they've written off this year's championship, then they can take more risks with new developments than they could if they were after every point they can get. In terms of things that might break, things that might not turn out to be an advantage, or in exploring the too many grey areas the FIA left in the regulations. They can in-race test bits that might not deliver benefits until they've been developed for three or four races. While if they're going for it this season, they couldn't afford that. And, as they get more knowledge about what their 2010 car is going to be, they can test bits that might actually make the 2009 car slower, but will benefit the 2010 car.
What Ferrari are going to know, being a very experienced engineering organisation, is what their chances are going to be of winning the championship this year, and how different the 2009 and 2010 cars are going to be. And I would expect that Ferrari will make the decision about their strategy for this year taking these two factors into account. And I think it's quite plausible that within even just a few more races, that the balance could tip to where it is the best strategy to write this year off.
If we look at the original quote:
This suggests that Stefano Domenicali, who will have a good idea of the various trade-offs, is already considering writing off this year. Which wouldn't happen if there was no benefit to doing so.
by track testing parts on their 09 car and understanding whats not working they are infact working on their 09 car. its pretty simple, if you look at it this way, whats good now is good for 2010 same regulations
But optimising the performance of the '09 car over this season and building up the knowledge and resources to optimise the performance of the '10 car are very different things. Particularly since the Ferrari car was built to a quite different interpretation of the regulations than the current official interpretation. That's the crucial thing. Even if the letter of the regulations hasn't changed, what Ferrari believes them to mean has changed. And from a practical car design point of view, that's as good as a change in regulations.
look i think people think Ferrari will do a Brawn and stop developing and concentrate on 2010. totally different situation, firstly Honda, by developing the 08 car further would get them no where in 09 as obviously it is a different set of rules. now if the rules didnt change do you think Honda would have stopped development on their 08 car?
Now we have a new set of rules and Ferrari is trying to come to terms with them but they are not going to just scrap what they have and start from scratch in 2010 thats just plain stupid! Thet are already working on a redesign of their rear end on the F60 now this will obviously play a role in the development of the 2010 car thus it will be an evolution.
Nobody has said that they are going to start completely from scratch. But fundamentally, their strategy for developing the car will be quite different if they are trying to do their most to win this year's championship from where they are now, compared to if they write this season off and concentrate on being strong in 2010. Because in the former situation they have to develop car technology which finds the best compromise between what is ideal and what can reasonably be added to the current car. While in the former they are not limited in the same way. As a simple example, if they've written off this year's championship, then they can take more risks with new developments than they could if they were after every point they can get. In terms of things that might break, things that might not turn out to be an advantage, or in exploring the too many grey areas the FIA left in the regulations. They can in-race test bits that might not deliver benefits until they've been developed for three or four races. While if they're going for it this season, they couldn't afford that. And, as they get more knowledge about what their 2010 car is going to be, they can test bits that might actually make the 2009 car slower, but will benefit the 2010 car.
What Ferrari are going to know, being a very experienced engineering organisation, is what their chances are going to be of winning the championship this year, and how different the 2009 and 2010 cars are going to be. And I would expect that Ferrari will make the decision about their strategy for this year taking these two factors into account. And I think it's quite plausible that within even just a few more races, that the balance could tip to where it is the best strategy to write this year off.
If we look at the original quote:
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.
This suggests that Stefano Domenicali, who will have a good idea of the various trade-offs, is already considering writing off this year. Which wouldn't happen if there was no benefit to doing so.
