In the latest Auto Motor und Sport, Formula 1 expert Michael Schmidt reports on Scuderia Ferrari’s progress with the development work on the power unit and aerodynamic side and also confirms that Mercedes and Red Bull will bring important updates for the second pre-season testing session which takes place at the Bahrain circuit next week. Here is a summary of his report:
Scuderia Ferrari will not bring any major upgrades for the F1-75 in the Bahrain test (there may be some small new aerodynamic elements). The Maranello team will be working on what they have and it could prove to be a good approach given the fact that only after the first two-three races it will become clear what concepts are working more efficient. Ferrari can still react based on that.
Ferrari has made a big step forward with the new Power Unit for the 2022 Formula 1 season and has achieved its main target of getting more power. Auto Motor und Sport reveals that there have been some reliability problems in the winter, but only when the engine hit 3000/4000km. And a team is allowed to fix the reliability issues.
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Michael Schmidt explains that “the F1-75 seems to behave well at different ground clearances. I think this year the lap time is not won in the fast corners. You’re going to make up time in the slow corners this year. Whoever can drive soft, with a lot of spring mechanism, already has a mechanical advantage in the slow corners and I feel like that’s what Ferrari has been working towards. It can’t be a coincidence that they are still fast despite having a lot of ground clearance.”
The FIA are aware of the upgrades that will be introduced in the Bahrain test (due the CAD data that the teams have to send). Michael Schmidt reports he heard that there will be some things which will lead to discussions.
Mercedes will be coming to the second pre-season testing session in Bahrain with “half” a new car
Red Bull is also bringing a big upgrade for their RB18 car, but Michael Schmidt expects them to follow the concept that we have already seen, as the Red Bull car in Barcelona seemed incomplete.
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