Ferrari claims that the team has encountered design problems with SF1000, and there is ‘no silver bullet’ to fix the problems immediately.
Ferrari finished with a surprising P2 podium finish over the weekend in the Austrian Grand Prix. For a team that has been vocal about their car’s problem, they must feel good considering their poor outing in the qualifiers.
They will look to improve on their car moving forward in the Styrian Grand Prix this weekend. Unfortunately, the solution to their car’s problem is easier said than done. They will need more than just a week to fix all the issues to compete with Mercedes in the next races.
Ferrari struggles in Formula 1
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto didn’t mince his words when he claimed that his team made an error with their cars’ designs. He said,
“What we have seen in Austria is similar to Barcelona. We need to improve our car. There is some mis-correlation with the design, especially on the aero. That is the development we have started again, back from the lockdown, and that hopefully we will have very soon at the race track.”
Sebastian Vettel’s woes on the track were obvious as he ended the race with just a P10 finish. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, found his way up the pecking order on P2 with grit and some stroke of good fortune. Mattia believes that their cars are missing a whole second on a turn and on a straight.
The Ferrari team will need to fix this to keep up with the steady pace of Mercedes. The latter team will also need to address their gearbox sensor issues for the Styrian Grand Prix.
Ferrari CEO responds immediately
Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri only had praises for his driver Charles Leclerc. He commended him for delivering a podium finish despite his car’s problems. Camilleri said,
“We know there’s lots of work to do. This is certainly not the grid position that a team like Ferrari should have and we have to respond immediately. It’s clear that we have to improve on all fronts. The only solution is to react and I’m pleased by the immediate reaction and the work that Mattia and all his team are putting in at every level.
Camilleri also promises that the new upgrades on their next car will be fitted out on the SF1000 in this weekend’s race. If not, at least some of its components will try to make its way to the troubled Ferrari car.
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