The start of the 2021 Formula 1 season showed a Ferrari in good shape, capable of performances that could only be imagined in 2020. An important qualitative leap that the team principal discussed in a long interview for ‘Auto Motor und Sport’:
“I was hoping for this improvement. Whether the level of competitiveness is higher or lower than expected does not matter. What’s really important is that we can now rely on data. The correlation with the track is correct again. We worked well on the weak points that emerged in 2020: the high drag, the low power of the power unit, the aerodynamic balance and the overall load that we were able to generate. My satisfaction comes from being in line with the schedule set for the start of the season.”
However, despite the performance increase, the SF21 is currently unable to compete for the world title. This is demonstrated, for example, by the gap in the first qualifying session from pole position. With seven tenths that seperate the best Maranello drover to the top at both the Bahrain and Portugal GPs. A real gap from the top teams that according to Binotto could be around 5 tenths: “Max Verstappen made a mistake in his fastest lap at Imola. With a perfect lap, the gap (3 tenths) would have been greater. Then it also depends on the characteristics and length of the track. I think half a second behind the pole position is a realistic average”.
Speaking of the gap, it is clear that the line-up is divided into two situations. A more competitive one capable of being able to return if not always, however often within the top ten, with another more in difficulty in the rear. A clear dividing line in some cases, which however Binotto claims not to see: “I don’t think there are two distinct groups . The gaps are so small that some factors such as those that can be given by a different track layout, a small error, the driver who fails to maximize the potential could result in the loss of several positions. I expect close fights with everyone , as if part of a single big group ”.
In 2022, when there will be the last engine update until the 2025 season will be introduced, although it is not clear what will happen if there is a large disparity in performance between one engine and another. There are those who have advanced the hypothesis of a possible artificial leveling of performance so as to put all the engineers on the same level. However, the Ferrari team principal, in the course of this long interview with ‘Auto Motor und Sport’, denied this solution: “To date, the difference between the individual engines is not large enough to require such leveling.. The engines must be within a natural convergence of two tenths . It wouldn’t make much sense to ask for equality. But obviously our goal is not to stay in a window of two tenths. We want to be the best. It will therefore take another great effort to take another step forward in 2022. We know we are not yet the best, but we also know we can improve.”
Formula One over the course of this season became the protagonist of another silent change. In fact, since 2021, the type of fuel introduced in the combustion chambers of these engine complexes is the more sustainable E10 (10% ethanol). An aspect that required changes to the ICE of the Power Unit and that Mattia Binotto commented as follows: “A great job has been done behind the scenes. The introduction of the E10 fuel inevitably required the adoption of some precautions. Manufacturers were forced to modify the combustion process, while fuel suppliers have had to adapt to new demands. A new combustion process modifies the forces acting on the internal elements of the engine and this affects its design. The tuning and all the parameters related to combustion must also be re-evaluated. Plus, with development frozen, you have one chance to get the most out of the new specification. “
From 2025, however, the use of a new engine could also happen. Regulations on which the experts are still discussing and on which they hope to find the right balance as soon as possible: ” The hope is to find a solution in the summer “, the Italian-Swiss begins on the subject by listing what are the main issues to unravel. “First of all, we need to achieve a unity of purpose between the teams. The other aspect will cover the new transmission unit, which depending on how it will appear, will require the changes to the regulation that defines the frame. Third point: the manufacturers and teams will only have three years to adapt to the regulations if they really want to come into force in 2025 ″.
“ Will they all be able to make it? What does it mean for us at Ferrari? Everyone has already agreed on the main guidelines: especially on costs , which will have to be reduced by at least 50 percent . We are still discussing this aspect. Either way, it will be a significant breakthrough. It will also have to contain a ‘green’ element, sustainable technologies will be needed without losing sight of the objective of bringing the units to have a better efficiency than today. This can only be achieved by expanding the use of the electrical part and using zero-emission fuel to reduce the environmental impact. They must also be technologies of interest to car manufacturers ”.
With the introduction of the budget cap and the new 2022 regulations, teams will soon shift their focus to next year and lose interest in the 2021 season . Ferrari being involved in the battle for third place, could find itself having to make a difficult decision in a few weeks: to pull the oars in the boat risking to be satisfied with a 4th / 5th place, or continue to spend energy to make it at least less bitter for the fans this season?
Question to which Mattia Binotto gave the following answer: “Regardless of the particularity of this season, we are talking about decisions that as a team we are called to make every year . How much will we sacrifice of one program for the other? The car of 2022 is so new, so different, that it takes leaps and bounds every time you have the chance to enter the wind tunnel. So there is a lot of room for development, but relatively little time. This is why the 2022 car must have priority. Most of our team is already working on this car. But that does not mean that we will not see other developments on the 2021 car. There is no set plan for development. If something comes to mind, it will be done ”.
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