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This year’s Formula 1
season features several technical and rule changes, from
the return of KERS to the arrival of Pirelli as tyre
supplier, from the abolition of the double diffuser to
the adjustable rear wing. This is what the Team
Principal of Scuderia Ferrari had to say on these and
other topics. “As far as tyres are concerned, the
results of the first test we ran at Abu Dhabi last
November are positive and clearly it will be very
important for the designers and race engineers to find
the best balance of the car. Furthermore, I feel we will
go in a different direction to last year, with tyres
maybe exhibiting greater degradation which will make for
more changeable racing, which itself will make grid
position less significant in terms of the final result.
At the moment, the real unknown concerns the handling of
the cars in the wet, but we can expect it to rain at
some point during the fifteen days of testing, so we
should get a clear picture of the situation.”
The kinetic energy recovery system makes its return
after the absence of a year, which one could describe as
a sabbatical and Ferrari will be able to count on the
experience gained in 2009. “We hope it could constitute
an advantage, at least in the early part of the season,”
commented Domenicali. “We have continued to work on this
system, trying to improve it especially in terms of
weight, even if the rules regarding its useage have
remained unchanged. The costs? I have read some figures,
but what I can say is that one has to look at how they
were calculated. For example, as far as Ferrari is
concerned, the costs relative to research and
development are down to us and are not passed on to our
customers.”
Other hot topics included the moveable rear wing and the
2013 engine rules: “In recent weeks there have been some
clarifications from the FIA, but clearly until it is
actually used on track, it will not be possible to give
an overall assessment of this system,” said Maranello’s
head of motorsport activity. “As for the engines of the
future, the decision of the FIA World Council clearly
set out the design and obviously, we are already working
on it, because time is pressing. It is not the solution
in terms of the split we would have preferred, but we
respect the decision. However, we have to analyse the
costs carefully, taking into account that today in
Formula 1, there are four companies supplying all the
engines and, in the current economic climate, we have to
be cautious and make sure no one pulls out, which could
put the system under pressure, before getting
preoccupied at the thought of new arrivals. One priority
that needs to be considered is the sound of the engines
as it’s important for race fans should not be
underestimated. Let us not forget that if Formula 1
ought to have a link to industrial production then
Ferrari is on the front row on that topic, but we also
have to take into account the unique values that are
dear to our hearts.”
It wouldn’t be Formula
1 without gossip and rumour and even this early into the
season, it is on the agenda. The stone that created
ripples on the pond this time concerns the spending
limits imposed by FOTA on the teams for 2010 and
allegations from some quarters that one team, Red Bull,
overspent. Asked to comment on the matter, Domenicali
had this to say: “I don’t like commenting on the others
and I won’t do it on this occasion either, as you can
well understand. All I can confirm is that we have
respected the limits set out within FOTA. I believe this
agreement represents a very important result which came
on the back of significant efforts, particularly from
the bigger teams. It will be discussed in the
forthcoming meetings and if it transpires there have
been any violations of the agreement, which by the way
can have no repercussions in sporting terms, given that
the Resource Restriction Agreement is a private one
drawn up by the teams, then FOTA in any case has the
power to intervene.”
This year, the Ferrari Team Principal is no longer the
vice president of the teams’ association, but he had
this to say on its future: “In some areas, great strides
have been made and I think FOTA must continue working in
this way. Then there are other areas that need clearing
up and if they are not, then it would be better to
rethink the principles that are the basis of this
association. Let’s not forget we are coming up to the
time to start the process of renewing the Concorde
Agreement, which currently runs out at the end of 2012.”
Someone who asked a question regarding Helmut Marko’s
recently published comments that Ferrari might have some
plans for a shopping trip at the home of Red Bull,
managed to extract an astute response from Domenicali.
“First of all, I want to congratulate Red Bull for
winning both titles on merit. I don’t think it’s worth
commenting on this matter, especially as I’m not in the
habit of going to the supermarket….Joking apart,
engineers always move in small circles within the
limited number of Formula 1 teams and so I don’t see
anything strange in the fact that Neil Martin has joined
us, especially as we receive so many letters from
engineers who want to come and work here in Maranello.
It is something that is very pleasing because it
signifies that we are still a great attraction and that
there is a desire to experience what it is like to work
at Ferrari. The Red Bull spirit? I don’t know it,
because my entire career has been spent with the Reds.
What I can say is that the spirit we have here is
something unique, exceptional and special. It’s not just
me that says it, but all sorts of people who come to
work for us from other teams, or those who leave us to
take on a new challenge elsewhere, drivers, engineers
and those who do any of the other jobs in Formula 1.”
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