|
Ferrari
completed its pre season test programme at
Barcelona last week (middle and bottom:
Felipe Massa during the fourth and final day
of testing at the wheel of the F60); now
Team Principal Stefano Domenicali (top)
assesses the new season. |
|
|
|
After 8,635
kilometres of testing and just two weeks before the start of
the Formula One Championship Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal
Stefano Domenicali looks forward to the new season and
assesses where the team now stands in light of the sweeping
new rule changes.
Where does Ferrari stand?
"Over the last days I've been to Barcelona to follow the
last stages of the test sessions and I've seen a very
concentrated and determined team. We're satisfied with the
level of our car as far as the performance is concerned.
It's obvious that we still have some work to do and that we
have to concentrate on its reliability. Last year we've seen
how important reliability and the smallest details are: we
have to work much harder in this direction.
What are your expectations?
"Like never before I'm expecting a very difficult season.
Many changes have been introduced as far as the regulations
are concerned. Planning the car we had to start from
scratch. In this case time plays an even more important
role: who, like us and our main competitors, was working
until the last moment on the development of the 2008 car,
might have a slight advantage compared to those who gave up
last year and dedicated themselves and their resources to a
new project."
Where do you think the Scuderia stands compared to its
competitors?
"I don't want you to think that I'm avoiding an answer, but
it's more difficult than ever to say anything about the
levels on the track. Until a couple of days ago there was a
great equilibrium between the different teams - some
expected and some a bit less - and then there was Brawn GP's
exploit; their performance was incredibly surprising and
they have to be watched with care. We think that we're part
of the more competitive teams, but there are still many
unknown factors to consider: we have to wait for Melbourne
to get the answers."
Over the last days there were many commenting voices
about interpretations of technical regulations by several
teams: what's Ferrari's position?
"We think that we've applied the modified regulations -
after the works done by the OWG (Overtaking Working Group)
together with the FIA - to the letter. It might be that
others took a different approach: the FIA has to dissipate
any doubt; let's hope they'll do it fast and clear."
|