In Monza, the discussion regarding the power units was firmly on point. Mercedes, with McLaren’s double podium in the Italian GP, gave a taste of its superiority in terms of power units even with one of the three customer teams.
Ferrari defended itself as best it could on the long straights of the “temple of speed”, taking a fourth place with Charles Leclerc and a sixth with Carlos Sainz, result that express the current level of the Maranello team with the SF21.
Mattia Binotto, team principal of Scuderia Ferrari, underlined the objective lack of power of the 065/6 which was evaluated in about twenty horspower, even if several observers present at the Italian GP feel that the gap from the Mercedes engine is slightly higher as Charles Leclerc lost half a second in the fastest lap as compared to race winner Daniel Ricciardo who also took the additional point.
In reality, it should not be forgotten that the SF21 is a single-seater that does not excel in its aerodynamic efficiency, still suffering from drag that penalizes it on the straights, a legacy of the wrong project in 2020 and partially corrected in the winter even with all the regulation constraints dictated by the “development tokens”.
The combination offered us a Ferrari unable to fight on equal terms in reaching the maximum speeds (Charles Leclerc reached 341.8 km / h at the braking point of the First Variant, resulting only 16th in the table led by Sebastian Vettel with Aston Martin- Mercedes which reached 362 km / h with tow), even if it defended itself very well in the slower sections with a tuning specifically designed for the simulator to enhance the qualities of the SF21 and limit its defects.
After the race, Mattia Binotto was asked why Ferrari did not use the expected engine 4 debut at Monza …
“That engine was not ready for Monza, if the development had been available we probably would have introduced it already here. We will use it as soon as it is usable ”.
Why hasn’t the schedule been synchronized with the Italian GP?
“The answer is simple, because this is a development born for 2022, yet we are trying to anticipate as soon as possible, not only to take advantage of its characteristics on the track, but also to gain experience for next year. I hope it arrives in the next races ”.
The Maranello team principal did not want to add anything else, but as we anticipated, the power unit evo should make its debut in the Turkish GP, that is, after the next round which will take place in Russia.
In addition to Shell’s contribution that will bring new lubricants and fuel to improve combustion chamber performance, there are high expectations for the debut of new hybrid system components, as Ferrari has started the 2021 season with some out-of-date parts and regulation. F1 this year allows for adjustments over the course of the championship.
The Scuderia will have solutions that will ensure a performance increase of about ten horsepower, but the advantages will also be measured in the miniaturization of some components that will also yield weight savings.
Sochi, therefore, cannot be reached in time because the resolution of the new power unit can only take place after five long runs on the test bench have been completed, totaling a safety distance of 7,500 km.
