New rules 'disadvantaged' Ferrari - boss
Mar 14, 2009 | 12:53 PM
#1
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From: Bahrain
New rules 'disadvantaged' Ferrari - boss
Ferrari is facing "a slight disadvantage" heading into the 2009 season, its team boss Stefano Domenicali has admitted.
First, reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton's employer McLaren this week admitted its new MP4-24 is not ready to win races, and now the 2008 constructors' title winner has spoken with a similarly cautionary tone.
"Who, like us and our main competitors, was working until the last moment on the development of the 2008 car, might have a slight disadvantage compared to those who gave up last year and dedicated themselves and their resources to a new project," Domenicali said.
Maranello-based Ferrari was believed to hold a slight edge on a close group of rivals this winter, but Domenicali admits last week's Barcelona test - remarkably dominated by the former Honda team Brawn GP - has blurred the picture.
Asked where Ferrari stands, Domenicali answered: "I don't want you to think that I'm avoiding an answer, but it's more difficult than ever to say anything about the levels on the track."
"Until a couple of days ago there was a great equilibrium between the different teams - some expected and some a bit less - and then there was Brawn GP's exploit.
Their performance was incredibly surprising and they have to be watched with care."
"We think that we're part of the more competitive teams, but there are still many unknown factors to consider; we have to wait for Melbourne to get the answers," the Italian added.
Domenicali also commented on Flavio Briatore's assertion that up to three teams may be circumventing the new aerodynamic regulations in the area of the rear diffuser.
"We think that we've applied the modified regulations - after the work done by the OWG (Overtaking Working Group) together with the FIA - to the letter," he said.
"It might be that others took a different approach; the FIA has to dissipate any doubt; let's hope they'll do if fast and clear."
D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
First, reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton's employer McLaren this week admitted its new MP4-24 is not ready to win races, and now the 2008 constructors' title winner has spoken with a similarly cautionary tone.
"Who, like us and our main competitors, was working until the last moment on the development of the 2008 car, might have a slight disadvantage compared to those who gave up last year and dedicated themselves and their resources to a new project," Domenicali said.
Maranello-based Ferrari was believed to hold a slight edge on a close group of rivals this winter, but Domenicali admits last week's Barcelona test - remarkably dominated by the former Honda team Brawn GP - has blurred the picture.
Asked where Ferrari stands, Domenicali answered: "I don't want you to think that I'm avoiding an answer, but it's more difficult than ever to say anything about the levels on the track."
"Until a couple of days ago there was a great equilibrium between the different teams - some expected and some a bit less - and then there was Brawn GP's exploit.
Their performance was incredibly surprising and they have to be watched with care."
"We think that we're part of the more competitive teams, but there are still many unknown factors to consider; we have to wait for Melbourne to get the answers," the Italian added.
Domenicali also commented on Flavio Briatore's assertion that up to three teams may be circumventing the new aerodynamic regulations in the area of the rear diffuser.
"We think that we've applied the modified regulations - after the work done by the OWG (Overtaking Working Group) together with the FIA - to the letter," he said.
"It might be that others took a different approach; the FIA has to dissipate any doubt; let's hope they'll do if fast and clear."
D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
Mar 16, 2009 | 12:58 PM
#2
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,837
From: too far from the autobahn, USA
Since they were so intent on "Equalizing" the field and improving the racing why didn't they ban development of the '09 cars during the '08 season. Now it looks like two seasons are going to suffer from it. In '08 we had a championship contender(Kubica) basically drop out because BMW was looking ahead and we might have a less competitive field because manufacturer rightfully focused on '08 til the end. Disappointing.
Mar 16, 2009 | 04:11 PM
#9
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Posts: 3,821
From: Bahrain
And you said I was biased please note I posted this unflattering thread
Busted Dana .... I believe that's SpeedLimit 1 , Barrister 0
Busted Dana .... I believe that's SpeedLimit 1 , Barrister 0