Set-up, not automobile idea, behind F1 deficit to Purple Bull
The Italian squad had hoped to have the ability to lead the problem towards Purple Bull in F1’s season opener final weekend.
However regardless of pushing its rival onerous in qualifying, worse tyre degradation within the race left it effectively adrift earlier than Charles Leclerc suffered an engine downside whereas operating third.
That left the door open for a hard-charging Fernando Alonso to swoop his Aston Martin previous Carlos Sainz late on within the race and seize the ultimate podium end.
With Mercedes, which completed simply behind Sainz, already admitting it should change route with its automobile philosophy whether it is to get again to the entrance of F1, there may be already some debate about whether or not or not Ferrari wants to think about the identical factor.
It has pursued an in-wash aero philosophy whereas the advantages of the downwash resolution pioneered by Purple Bull are clear to see – particularly as Aston Martin’s copying of it has delivered such good outcomes.
When requested if Ferrari nonetheless had perception its idea may beat Purple Bull, group principal Fred Vasseur mentioned: “I am utterly satisfied about this.
“I by no means noticed a automobile to match the tempo of one other one in quali and to not capable of race. [So] then it is a matter of set-up and a few decisions on the automobile. It isn’t a matter of idea in any respect. So, we do not have to enter this route.”
Vasseur thinks that Ferrari solely wants to enhance small particulars to get itself right into a place to place Purple Bull beneath strain.
“To summarise the scenario, I might say on quali tempo, we’re there, we’re matching Purple Bull, at the least in Bahrain. It was a constructive level.
“However now now we have to be absolutely lifelike. If we wish to enhance, we have to have a transparent image of the scenario, and reliability is just not on the stage that we’d like.
“If we wish to win races, we have to have clear sheet on the weekend and never small particulars there and there.”
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, within the submit Qualifying Press Convention
Picture by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Photos
Whereas Purple Bull’s dominance in Bahrain has prompted strategies the championship battle is all however over, Vasseur insists nothing is misplaced but.
“It is by no means good to start out with a DNF, and I might have most well-liked to complete for certain, however I wish to keep constant in my place,” he mentioned.
“I informed the group earlier than the take a look at in Bahrain two weeks in the past that the championship will not be over in Bahrain, and it would not matter the lead to any case.
“It was true for the winter take a look at, and it is true for in the present day. The group skilled a special scenario prior to now and an important factor now’s to have the ability to have a transparent image of the scenario, see the place we’re failing and to do a correct evaluation on this and to conduct a stronger response.”
Engine investigation
Ferrari has launched an investigation into what went improper with the ability unit in Leclerc’s automobile, after it shut down whereas he was operating third.
Vasseur mentioned the issue had come out of the blue, as there had been no trace of a difficulty throughout winter dyno operating nor pre-season testing.
“We by no means anticipated to have one thing like this,” he mentioned. “It’s the first time that we had it. We did not face the identical concern in any respect throughout the 6000-7000km that we did with the engine within the final week with the three groups, and we did not develop the identical concern on the dyno.”
