- 06 Apr 09, 11:46#103114
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
From Planet F1:
Ferrari down on their luck as KERS doubts grow
Monday 6th April 2009
As if Ferrari didn't have enough worries to contend with on their malfunctioning F60, it has emerged that their KERS system - previously thought to be the strength of their package - may in fact be significantly hindering their performance by reducing the size of their petrol tank and limiting their capacity to rebalance the car's handling.
Although a general lack of downforce and two astonishing errors of judgement from the pitwall were the principal reasons why the team failed to score any points in Malaysia, matters were not helped by Kimi Raikkonen being undermined throughout the weekend by a persistent problem with his KERS system.
The device failed on Friday and the official F1 website explained that its removal from the Finn's car revealed that 'it is located in a cavity under the chassis, the presence of which means a significantly smaller fuel tank than would otherwise be possible.'
'With the base of the battery box now effectively forming a second floor, it also means the fuel is higher in the chassis, raising its centre of gravity.'
The F60 has been described as a 'sensitive' car and it is suspected that the enforced weight distribution of the 40kg KERS battery may also be compromising its handling. What's more, it was reported in Australia, where both Ferraris had to pit ahead of schedule after starting the race on soft tyres, that the weight of the KERS device may have been the reason why their rubber grained far quicker than expected.
Publicly at least, the team remain adamant that the advantages of the device outweigh its bulky disadvantages. "I passed from 16th to 12th straight away, so it helped me," reported Felipe Massa in Malaysia. It is claimed that Ferrari believe the system's overall effect is a two-tenths-of-a-second improvement per lap. As yet, however, that hasn't been apparent with Brawn, Williams, Red Bull and Toyota all leading the field despite not carrying the system.
As with McLaren, who are also struggling to keep pace with the frontrunners, Ferrari's main problem appears to be a lack of aerodynamic grip. In the wake of two point-less grands prix, the team are already under severe pressure to deliver a substantial performance upgrade in China after boss Stefano Domenicali described their start to the season as "unacceptable".
"This is the critical point on the car that we are seeing now," he said before leaving Malaysia. "We need to work day and night to try and anticipate everything we can to improve the performance of the car.
"We know that from what we have seen it's on the aero side that we need to make the difference, so an aerodynamic development is needed - we need to have more downforce."
According to Massa, however, Ferrari's season may yet hinge on the FIA's hearing on April 14 to determine the legality of the two-tiered diffusers used by Brawn, Williams and Toyota.
"The guys who have the diffuser have a lot more downforce," he complained to Autosport. "So it is completely difficult to fight with them. If we get a Championship that is the same for everybody at the next race, then for sure it will be more competitive. But if we don't, then it will take quite a bit of time to have the diffuser on our car, so it will be very difficult."
Ferrari down on their luck as KERS doubts grow
Monday 6th April 2009
As if Ferrari didn't have enough worries to contend with on their malfunctioning F60, it has emerged that their KERS system - previously thought to be the strength of their package - may in fact be significantly hindering their performance by reducing the size of their petrol tank and limiting their capacity to rebalance the car's handling.
Although a general lack of downforce and two astonishing errors of judgement from the pitwall were the principal reasons why the team failed to score any points in Malaysia, matters were not helped by Kimi Raikkonen being undermined throughout the weekend by a persistent problem with his KERS system.
The device failed on Friday and the official F1 website explained that its removal from the Finn's car revealed that 'it is located in a cavity under the chassis, the presence of which means a significantly smaller fuel tank than would otherwise be possible.'
'With the base of the battery box now effectively forming a second floor, it also means the fuel is higher in the chassis, raising its centre of gravity.'
The F60 has been described as a 'sensitive' car and it is suspected that the enforced weight distribution of the 40kg KERS battery may also be compromising its handling. What's more, it was reported in Australia, where both Ferraris had to pit ahead of schedule after starting the race on soft tyres, that the weight of the KERS device may have been the reason why their rubber grained far quicker than expected.
Publicly at least, the team remain adamant that the advantages of the device outweigh its bulky disadvantages. "I passed from 16th to 12th straight away, so it helped me," reported Felipe Massa in Malaysia. It is claimed that Ferrari believe the system's overall effect is a two-tenths-of-a-second improvement per lap. As yet, however, that hasn't been apparent with Brawn, Williams, Red Bull and Toyota all leading the field despite not carrying the system.
As with McLaren, who are also struggling to keep pace with the frontrunners, Ferrari's main problem appears to be a lack of aerodynamic grip. In the wake of two point-less grands prix, the team are already under severe pressure to deliver a substantial performance upgrade in China after boss Stefano Domenicali described their start to the season as "unacceptable".
"This is the critical point on the car that we are seeing now," he said before leaving Malaysia. "We need to work day and night to try and anticipate everything we can to improve the performance of the car.
"We know that from what we have seen it's on the aero side that we need to make the difference, so an aerodynamic development is needed - we need to have more downforce."
According to Massa, however, Ferrari's season may yet hinge on the FIA's hearing on April 14 to determine the legality of the two-tiered diffusers used by Brawn, Williams and Toyota.
"The guys who have the diffuser have a lot more downforce," he complained to Autosport. "So it is completely difficult to fight with them. If we get a Championship that is the same for everybody at the next race, then for sure it will be more competitive. But if we don't, then it will take quite a bit of time to have the diffuser on our car, so it will be very difficult."
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
- By darwin dali