Forget 2020. Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto’s diktat leaves no room for interpretation: the Italian side improve it’s position as soon as possible to make the sixth place in last year’s Constructors’ standings a distant memory.
The weapon the Scuderia relies on for this feat is the SF21 car, or rather an SF1000 revisited in the weak points highlighted last year.
And of all, that of top speed had been the most obvious weakness, a nightmare for the Maranello engineers who in 2019 boasted of having the fastest cars ever on tracks with long straights.
“Our main problem last year was not only that of the power of the power unit – explained Mattia Binotto – but also the resistance against the air which caused the poor speed on the straights. We focused on the engine but also on aerodynamics, with the clear aim of reducing drag.”
On both fronts, Maranello had ample room for intervention, given that their engine and aerodynamics are the two areas not subject to the constraints of the limitations in force.
“The simulations we have done so far – continued Binotto – have allowed us to evaluate both the power delivered, on the test benches, and the car’s resistance to advancement in the wind tunnel, and I believe that overall we have recovered a lot of performance” .
“So I expect that in 2021 speed will not be a problem as it was last year, but as always, before we are sure we need to confirm it on the track, and this will only come in Bahrain. It is right to be cautious – the Ferrari team principal clarified – because everything relates to the confrontation with the opponents, but for our part we know that the SF21 is certainly more efficient than the SF1000 was, and by efficient I mean both on the aerodynamic front and the power of the engine. We have made a significant effort, considering the current limitations, using the tokens available in the rear of the car, but, as I said, the first response will only come in Bahrain when we face our rivals”. – the Ferrari boss concluded.
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