Set-up, not automotive 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 laborious in qualifying, worse tyre degradation within the race left it effectively adrift earlier than Charles Leclerc suffered an engine downside whereas working 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 path with its automotive philosophy whether it is to get again to the entrance of F1, there’s 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 stated: “I am utterly satisfied about this.
“I by no means noticed a automotive 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 automotive. It is not a matter of idea in any respect. So, we do not have to enter this path.”
Vasseur thinks that Ferrari solely wants to enhance small particulars to get itself right into a place to place Purple Bull underneath strain.
“To summarise the scenario, I’d say on quali tempo, we’re there, we’re matching Purple Bull, no less than in Bahrain. It was a constructive level.
“However now we’ve got to be absolutely reasonable. If we need to enhance, we have to have a transparent image of the scenario, and reliability will not be on the stage that we want.
“If we need 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 publish Qualifying Press Convention
Picture by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Pictures
Whereas Purple Bull’s dominance in Bahrain has prompted options 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’d have most well-liked to complete for positive, however I need to keep constant in my place,” he stated.
“I informed the group earlier than the check 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 check, and it is true for immediately. The group skilled a distinct scenario previously and an important factor now could be 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 flawed with the ability unit in Leclerc’s automotive, after it shut down whereas he was working third.
Vasseur stated the issue had come out of the blue, as there had been no trace of a problem throughout winter dyno working nor pre-season testing.
“We by no means anticipated to have one thing like this,” he stated. “It’s the first time that we had it. We did not face the identical challenge in any respect in the course of the 6000-7000km that we did with the engine within the final week with the three groups, and we did not develop the identical challenge on the dyno.”
