The first Grand Prix of the 2021 Formula 1 season, held in Bahrain two weeks ago, gave us some positive indications regrading Ferrari’s performance, as the Maranello team attempts to redeem itself after a disappointing 2020 that saw it finish the World Championship only in sixth place in the constructors’ standings. After the race at the Sakhir circuit, where both SF21 cars scored points, the next rounds will be important to understand how far the new Ferrari cars can really go.
In this regard, French engineer Laurent Mekies, the current sporting director of Scuderia Ferrari, admitted that we will have to wait for more qualifying sessions in order to be able to fully understand the level of competitiveness of the SF21.
“We have improved, without a doubt. But there is always work to be done to get the most out of it on track, because (in Bahrain) there are special conditions. We go from super hot afternoon maximum temperatures to night racing” – the Ferrari sporting director, explained in an interview for Autosport – “Obviously we know exactly our numbers, but I think the question is what that numbers become when you take into account the progression made by others. And once again, I think that is the real answer to what you discover by analyzing the qualifying sessions.” – the Ferrari sporting director added.
Laurent Mekies concluded: “You need several qualifying sessions to make sure you have a reliable number and you can go back to the factory and say, ‘Ok, guys, we know what we did and where we stand compared to the others and so that’s probably what they themselves did in winter’. I think it will happen after two, three or maybe four qualifying sessions, where you have a consolidated number of estimates on the other guys’ output.”
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