Formula One news
Ferrari boss reflects on tough race
21 July 2008Ferrari headed back to Maranello on Sunday evening determined to solve the mysteries that hindered their performance in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on Sunday. Felipe Massa finished third to Lewis Hamilton and rookie Nelson Piquet, while Kimi Raikkonen finished sixth.
|
|
Ferrari were simply unable to exploit their usual race pace and strong disciplines such as economical use of tyres, as team principal Stefano Domenicali explained after the race. "This was one of the most critical points of this weekend. Normally we know that McLaren are fast over a single lap and that this is a trade-off with consistency and pace during the race.
"Unfortunately on Sunday we have seen that that was not the case. In qualifying of course they were really strong, but if you consider the fuel that they had for Lewis and Kovalainen Felipe's lap was really good. This time, if you think that in the first stint we were slower by half a second it shows that there is something that has to be really understood and we need to go deeply into the details without making any quick solutions because that's the mistake that we shouldn't make at this moment."
One of the reasons for the lack of pace was the brakes, as Massa had reported. "I think that we had a problem of high brake temperatures," said Domenicali. "That is one of the reasons why Felipe was not able to attack. Generally, he was also not happy about the grip of the car so he couldn't be aggressive either on soft or on hard tyres. So that was really the main problem. That is the reason why, in that condition, we were not even able to attack Piquet."
Could the conditions have changed? Domenicali was unwilling to draw any swift conclusions. "Possibly," he admitted. "But as I said today I don't want to take any premature reasons because we need to go deeply and analyse the reason for this situation. because it's in a way too microscopic to have an easy solution. For sure what we have seen today is something that we haven't seen since the start of the season in terms of consistency and pace. It is clear that McLaren has made another step forward in respect of the consistency during the race. During this weekend, in the long runs they were pretty good. But on the other side today I'd say we were too slow and we have to understand the reason why."
more news
- 25 Nov.
- 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
- Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
- BMW testers excited about Jerez
- Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
- Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
- Brawn aero chief wins award
- Gillett disappointed with government position
- Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
- 24 Nov.
- Briatore verdict expected in January
- Donington still hopeful over F1 race
- Montreal race confirmation imminent
- Massa names drivers for karting event
- Campos car passes FIA safety tests
- Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
- Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
- Courts to hear Briatore case
- Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
- 23 Nov.
- GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
- Theissen waiting on entry decision
- Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation
- Confirmed: Rosberg to Mercedes for 2010
- Manor hoping to run in late January
- Mercedes poised to announce first driver
- Kobayashi: I expected to be re-signed
- Nakajima future in Toyota's hands
- Klien still hoping for 2010 seat
- McLaren line-up will work, says Ecclestone
- López: USF1 deal coming next week
- 22 Nov.
- 21 Nov.
- 20 Nov.
more news
Test Schedule
| 01 Dec. | 
Jerez |
 |
| 02 Dec. |
Jerez |
|
| 03 Dec. |
Jerez |
|
| full overview | ||
|---|---|---|