The new F1 regulations for the 2022 season brought with them several limitations. As for the power unit, the internal combustion engine is theoretically frozen. This measure, however, has a “loophole” as, for mere reasons related to reliability, the technicians of the teams can get their hands on the thermal components. Furthermore, the opportunity to increase the reliability of the engine, depending on the skill of the engineers, goes hand in hand with the possibility of increasing performance.
But the problems of the historic Ferrari team are not strictly linked to performance. In fact, the 066/7 power unit showed great competitiveness, especially taking into account the higher coefficient when compared with that of Red Bull relating to drag. The two F1-75s are able to “gently” unload the approximately 1000hp that can be used on the ground, a sign of excellent suspension mechanics and, at the same time, of electronics capable of enhancing the motor skills of the Prancing Horse.
The necessary premise, however, leads to a certain fact. Austrian Grand Prix 2022: car number 55, right at its most beautiful moment, when the Spanish driver was already in the two of Max Verstappen ready to overtake him, suffers a sudden drop in power caused by the breakdown of the Italian V6. The Maranello team’s F1-75 car is forced to raise the white flag.
An emblematic image of Carlos Sainz who, at a safe distance, observes his car burning on the side of the track rescued by the marshals. Without forgetting “minor annoyances” such as that suffered by the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who had to bring the car home with a loose gas pedal in the final ten laps of the race and managed to keep his first place, as explained in this video.
The papabile one-two finish in Austria therefore goes up in smoke exactly like the engine. A sporting misfortune that in fact denies an important milestone. The words of Mattia Binotto on the incident, although for the Ferrari team principal, confirmed there were no structural issues, describe a “smoky” scenario. In fact, the headaches surrounding the PU are starting to be a bit too many and at the moment, when the halfway point of the world championship has arrived, various crucial aspects remain to be sorted out in order to nourish the world championship dream.
“It is much better to have a performing and unreliable car than a mechanically solid car but at the same time slow”. This vague statement has been heard for several years in the top category of motorsport. The concept is simple: increasing competitiveness, especially considering the current development “freeze”, remains possible but very complicated. While eliminating the problems that lead to retirements seems simpler. All true. But the situation on track, with two races still to go before the summer break, is still to be demonstrated.
Considering the logic of normal rotations within the championship, supported by some sources within the paddock, the Ferrari power unit that exploded in Austria brought with it a substantial mileage. This means that, in all likelihood, beyond the fourth seasonal unit that will presumably be introduced shortly with penalties, the PU that remains viable should still allow significant use.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection from Puma! Enter the online Puma Store and shop securely! And get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
With an overview of the future, according to the information gathered by from FUnoAnalisiTecnica and reported by Alessandro Arcari, the Maranello technicians have finally identified causes and above all remedies to ensure that the technical project can express its value, without issues, during the second part of the 2022 Formula 1 championship. Therefore, work will start on the thermal components linked to the reliability problems, with the hope that the process will definitively eliminate the unexpected and harmful failures.
As for the hybrid system, which has not been free from “injuries” during the races so far disputed, some improvements are being considered on various components that should make their debut after the summer break, with the clear aim of increasing efficiency starting most likely with the Belgian Grand Prix.
The successful completion of the upcoming operations, logically, should allow a fight at the top with no more technical problems against the Austrian racing cars. Within the Ferrari Racing Department, although the results and rankings are not the desired ones, there is a certain optimism related to the performance that can be obtained in the near future.
Leave a Reply