As you well know, you don’t want to turn the finger in a sore spot, but unfortunately we have to because the Paul Ricard race showed the most negative aspect of the Ferrari SF21 car: tire management. A Grand Prix conditioned by graining, which forced the drivers to work overtime during the race, with the Prancing Horse cars paying the highest price. Wet conditions are expected in Styria, but should the weather suddenly change, temperatures could rise again even above 30 ° C. Conditions that will make the asphalt really hot. The compounds to be used, at least in this first round, will be the same as seen in France, which could allow the Maranello team to carry out some tests to make a comparison on a track that has very different characteristics.
Team principal Mattia Binotto and drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were clear. It will not be possible to fully resolve the issues this season. The development of the parts that correct tire management is blocked by regulation, so it is impossible to make significant progress before the 2022 Formula 1 season. The Maranello team will therefore have to try to limit the problem by acting on the set-up. These problems will not be highlighted on all tracks: out of 7 races so far, Ferrari encountered difficulties ‘only’ on two occasions (Baku was not an easy event either). Better GPs will certainly arrive, even if on certain occasions the Italian side will find itself in difficulty just as happened at Paul Ricard. This is a fact.
Despite the fact that the engine will once again play an important role at the Red Bull Ring, the podium scored by Charles Leclerc last year with the SF1000 gives confidence that something good can be seen for Ferrari. However, on the occasion, it was still the opening weekend of the season. The teams found themselves racing in July after more than 4 months of absence from the tracks, due to covid. There was certainly some rust to remove. As always, Ferrari will try to do their best with the means available and will need a reaction. McLaren thanks to the 5th and 6th positions scored in France now enjoys a margin of 16 points over the Italian team and on the other hand, does not seem to show any signs of possible failures on the way.
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