F1: the changes and upgrades brought by Ferrari in Sochi are fundamental for 2022. Upgrades brought by Ferrari in Sochi are fundamental for 2022 .

The updated hybrid system which Ferrari is using at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix has been described as a “key” part of the work for next year’s Formula 1 engine

The update, which concerns the Power Unit, should increase Ferrari’s power, so it should increase the Maranello team’s prospects for the rest of the season. There is talk of about 10-15 extra horsepower. Of course, Ferrari wanted to clarify that its “main goal is to gain experience for the 2022 power unit project”, as it is undertaking an ambitious engine upgrade for next year which should include the intercooler solution, the electric recovery system of the energy and combustion technology within the V6.

The update, for now, is only the SF21 car of Charles Lerclerc
“It will be very important to see how it works for the future. We hope this goes in the right direction to help us for 2022.” – said the Monegasque driver.

Team mate Carlos Sainz said he will look “very close” into Charles Leclerc’s figures this weekend, with Sochi representing an immediate test of the new system’s potential given its two long straights.

“Our simulations show this is one of the top three power sensitive tracks, so it will be nice to have Charles use this new system,” Carlos Sainz said. “It is also a system that is helping us understand the philosophy for next year’s power unit and it is a system that we want to follow for next year. The team has done a great job to bring it forward and it will be interesting to see how it goes.” – he added.

The new Ferrari engine for 2022, which will essentially be frozen in spec until 2025 given the current rules, is hugely important after the Maranello team was severely compromised by technical directives introduced in 2020 in response to an FIA investigation into the powerful team’s 2019 engine.

Since that time, Ferrari has conducted two parallel development programs for the ’22 engine and is believed to have chosen the more innovative of the two designs.

Carlos Sainz said the opportunity to use the remaining races to test part of his 2022 power unit concept live, rather than on simulations, was “critical”.

“There is no better test than the track itself,” said Carlos Sainz. “You’ve got the updates on track and it’s encouraging for the second half of the season to have something you know to review, try and experiment with. As you know, our main focus is next year and this is something to try to improve the power unit and see how it goes. I’m excited but at the same time cautious because we don’t want to be too confident and we need to make sure we do our tests and analyzes.” – Carlos Sainz concluded.