16613 replies to this topic

[Massa]

No, it's the current system who cause a lot of drag.

[kosmos]

This is one of the most important problems, Ferrari says it's caused by the marbles who obstruct the diffuser.

I'm not an expert but this sound like BS. Thanks for the translation CrucialXtreme.

[ASFA2011]

Domenicali said no new chassis. We will see. It will be interesting if they do change the chassis.

Well according to James Allen they will change the chassis , he's got that info from Pino Alvelli who is supposed to be a big time insider , but who knows

[aray]

Not really. Other teams will bring moderate upgrades, but Ferrari are bringing a highly revised car that will require new crash tests, which is much closer to what people think of when they say 'B-spec'.

you can't say about other teams so early....they may well go for new chasis...particularly Merc and RB...

[CrucialXtreme]

Well according to James Allen they will change the chassis , he's got that info from Pino Alvelli who is supposed to be a big time insider , but who knows

I believe you're getting two separate things mixed up. Yes Massa is changing chassis 293 for 294. That is different than changing the chassis altogether which requires a new crash test.

[rsaca]

AutoSprint: "It's very difficult for Ferrari to change sidepods because they must change resonance waves of the engine"

[Seanspeed]

you can't say about other teams so early....they may well go for new chasis...particularly Merc and RB...

I cant say for sure, but I can say its highly unlikely.

Mercedes have a quick car, but it eats tires. We've got far more problems than that.

And I have no idea why Red Bull would go radically changing anything.

[CrucialXtreme]

This should make many feel better about the F2012 front suspension.

[ASFA2011]

I believe you're getting two separate things mixed up. Yes Massa is changing chassis 293 for 294. That is different than changing the chassis altogether which requires a new crash test.

No I'm not , that is precisely what JA is reporting , that they will change the chassis and they are going to need to go trough crash tests again ..

[CrucialXtreme]

No I'm not , that is precisely what JA is reporting , that they will change the chassis and they are going to need to go trough crash tests again ..

Yeah on March 7th he ran a story, according to Piola. Which is hardly concrete. There's also Domenicali saying there will be no chassis change. We will have to wait and see.

[Dunder]

This should make many feel better about the F2012 front suspension.

I will try to post something more extensive after the race but after watching replays of all the action from the weekend so far, I am forming the opinion that the biggest issue with this car is a 'simple' matter of excessive pitch sensitivity. Probably due to the lack of a true EBD all of the front running cars look to be running with more supple suspension settings this year. This is great for compliance but does seem to be affecting many teams in terms of the effective COG moving forward and aft.

Ferrari in particular look to be running with rake levels not all that different to last year and as such are suffering badly under deceleration from a car which is pitching forward heavily which produces a very high and unstable rear end at the point of turn in.

Not sure why it is that they feel the need to setup this way but the new front suspension layout would be the obvious candidate.

With respect to Scarbs, I am still not convinced that this is a primarily aero issue, pitch (and roll) issues are far more likely to be related to suspension (although that does not mean it is necessarily produced by the new layout). He could, of course, mean that they cannot use optimal suspension/ride settings in order to accomodate aero deficiencies (a bit like McLaren in 2010).

Edited by Dunder, 21 March 2012 - 18:07.

[CrucialXtreme]

With respect to Scarbs, I am still not convinced that this is a primarily aero issue, pitch (and roll) issues are far more likely to be related to suspension (although that does not mean it is necessarily produced by the new layout). He could, of course, mean that they cannot use optimal suspension/ride settings in order to accomodate aero deficiencies (a bit like McLaren in 2010).

No he's saying "the geometry is the same and he did the maths and it works as well as push rod in operating the spring. Its the wisbones that manage this geometry, not the push\pull rod. Ferrari wishbone angles appear similar to most other teams thus it's basically the same." As well as Gary Anderson's take on it, being rubbish.(he didn't say those words). But it's clear Gary Anderson's take on the suspension isn't entirely accurate and people are trying to pin all the cars problems on the front suspension.

Edited by CrucialXtreme, 21 March 2012 - 18:57.

[Dunder]

No he's saying "the geometry is the same and he did the maths and it works as well as push rod in operating the spring. Its the wisbones that manage this geometry, not the push\pull rod. Ferrari wishbone angles appear similar to most other teams thus it's basically the same." As well as Gary Anderson's take on it, being rubbish.(he didn't say those words). But it's clear Gary Anderson's take on the suspension isn't entirely accurate and people are trying to pin all the cars problems on the front suspension.

I am not claiming that this is a push vs pull issue or even that the main issue is necessarily at the front of the car.

I am just not seeing how the rear instability can be an aero issue if it is accepted that excessive pitch sensitivity in the main factor behind that instability (which I do agree with). The caveat as I tried to allude to (maybe clumsily) is that, perhaps, Ferrari cannot use optimal suspension settings without substantially affecting airflow to the diffuser.

[CrucialXtreme]

I am not claiming that this is a push vs pull issue or even that the main issue is necessarily at the front of the car.

I am just not seeing how the rear instability can be an aero issue if it is accepted that excessive pitch sensitivity in the main factor behind that instability (which I do agree with). The caveat as I tried to allude to (maybe clumsily) is that, perhaps, Ferrari cannot use optimal suspension settings without substantially affecting airflow to the diffuser.

But isn't pitch sensitivity related to aero balance? This is what I've always been taught.

I too think they haven't found the right suspension setup and that is part of their problem, but I think much of it is related to the interim exhaust and the fact the car was developed to work with the original setup and it's not currently using it. Of course they said it wasn't race ready in Jerez because it heated the tyres too much and they lost balance inexplicably. Why I don't know, I could guess but I just don't think the front pull rod is the problem.

[Dunder]

But isn't pitch sensitivity related to aero balance? This is what I've always been taught.

I too think they haven't found the right suspension setup and that is part of their problem, but I think much of it is related to the interim exhaust and the fact the car was developed to work with the original setup and it's not currently using it. Of course they said it wasn't race ready in Jerez because it heated the tyres too much and they lost balance inexplicably. Why I don't know, I could guess but I just don't think the front pull rod is the problem.

It can be. When it is however it should be a very simple fix and not an issue that plagues you for an entire weekend.

[CrucialXtreme]

It can be. When it is however it should be a very simple fix and not an issue that plagues you for an entire weekend.

Well when you have aero problems and the balance shifts around under braking or acceleration and/or the cars CoG shifts under braking/acceleration I think it's a larger problem that I'm afraid not can be fixed in a weekend. Either way, I think you and I are pretty much in agreement. Let's see what Ferrari do about it. The pace on heavy fuel is promising if they can get a few issues sorted. Let's hope they get on with it quickly.


Edit: Jose Lusi says there will be new parts in Malaysia. The team isn't sure how well they'll work but after the meeting with Montezemolo yesterday it was decided upon to bring them this weekend.

Edited by CrucialXtreme, 21 March 2012 - 20:01.

[Ferrari2183]

Well according to James Allen they will change the chassis , he's got that info from Pino Alvelli who is supposed to be a big time insider , but who knows

Pino Allievi is as good as it gets when it comes to Ferrari info. He has high ranking sources.

[CrucialXtreme]

Pino Allievi is as good as it gets when it comes to Ferrari info. He has high ranking sources.

Except nowhere in the article is Allievi mentioned, unless I'm totally overlooking something. On the other hand, you have Domenicali saying no chassis change. I don't much care either way as long as they get it right, but there's no evidence to suggest they're completely changing the chassis to the point it needs a new crash test.

[Ferrari2183]

Except nowhere in the article is Allievi mentioned, unless I'm totally overlooking something. On the other hand, you have Domenicali saying no chassis change. I don't much care either way as long as they get it right, but there's no evidence to suggest they're completely changing the chassis to the point it needs a new crash test.

I wouldn't know, I haven't been following the Formula 1 news lately. Very busy...

I was just stating what I know about Allievi but if he says that a new crash test is on the cards I'm inclined to believe him.

[bonjon1979a]

Well when you have aero problems and the balance shifts around under braking or acceleration and/or the cars CoG shifts under braking/acceleration I think it's a larger problem that I'm afraid not can be fixed in a weekend. Either way, I think you and I are pretty much in agreement. Let's see what Ferrari do about it. The pace on heavy fuel is promising if they can get a few issues sorted. Let's hope they get on with it quickly.


Edit: Jose Lusi says there will be new parts in Malaysia. The team isn't sure how well they'll work but after the meeting with Montezemolo yesterday it was decided upon to bring them this weekend.

I've no idea what's going on with the 2012. For so much of the race it looked fine in Alonso's hands. I do think that the Pirelli's are clouding the issue. It seems that the race pace of the teams is entirely dictated by the tyres. It doesn't matter how quick you are in qualy or what inherent pace is in the car. There is an optimum speed for the tyres, go quicker than that and they overheat and fall apart. Personally, I'm not a fan of it - I want to see the faster car go quicker than the slower which we don't really get anymore. We saw it last year with Red Bull, they should've been lapping the second place cars but couldn't take advantage of their inherent pace because of the tyres.

As for the Ferrari, who knows - it could turn into a rocket or it could be worse at the next upgrade, after the horror of pre-season I doubt the boys at Maronello know which way it's going to go either. I hope rocket ship so Alonso can get in the scrap and Massa has at least a chance to fight for his seat...

[EvanRainer]

I do think that the Pirelli's are clouding the issue. It seems that the race pace of the teams is entirely dictated by the tyres. It doesn't matter how quick you are in qualy or what inherent pace is in the car. There is an optimum speed for the tyres, go quicker than that and they overheat and fall apart. Personally, I'm not a fan of it - I want to see the faster car go quicker than the slower which we don't really get anymore. We saw it last year with Red Bull, they should've been lapping the second place cars but couldn't take advantage of their inherent pace because of the tyres.

Pure fantasy

Edited by EvanRainer, 21 March 2012 - 21:54.

[ashnathan]

I've no idea what's going on with the 2012. For so much of the race it looked fine in Alonso's hands. I do think that the Pirelli's are clouding the issue. It seems that the race pace of the teams is entirely dictated by the tyres. It doesn't matter how quick you are in qualy or what inherent pace is in the car. There is an optimum speed for the tyres, go quicker than that and they overheat and fall apart. Personally, I'm not a fan of it - I want to see the faster car go quicker than the slower which we don't really get anymore. We saw it last year with Red Bull, they should've been lapping the second place cars but couldn't take advantage of their inherent pace because of the tyres.

As for the Ferrari, who knows - it could turn into a rocket or it could be worse at the next upgrade, after the horror of pre-season I doubt the boys at Maronello know which way it's going to go either. I hope rocket ship so Alonso can get in the scrap and Massa has at least a chance to fight for his seat...

Well, it is of course up to the teams to design the car around the tyres you know, not the other way around?

[Tombstone]

It seems that the race pace of the teams is entirely dictated by the tyres. It doesn't matter how quick you are in qualy or what inherent pace is in the car. There is an optimum speed for the tyres, go quicker than that and they overheat and fall apart. Personally, I'm not a fan of it - I want to see the faster car go quicker than the slower which we don't really get anymore.

The tyres are the same.

A car will make the best use of the identical equipment, so a slower car will be slower, and a faster car will be faster. That much is not rocket science.

[bonjon1979a]

Pure fantasy

Really? I think it's kind of widely acknowledged that the tyres have kept the teams race pace at a similar level. This is nothing against Ferrari - I think the car looked good but it's just a fact that the race pace of cars has been far closer when compared to the difference in qualifying since Pirelli tyres have been used.

[bonjon1979a]

Well, it is of course up to the teams to design the car around the tyres you know, not the other way around?

Huh?

[ashnathan]

Huh?

You're complaining about the tyres. What I'm saying is, thats pointless, its up to the teams to design the cars around the tyres and make them faster on the tyres. There's no use whinging that tyres are limiting cars cos it isn't going to change, teams need to go away and think of ideas to make their cars quicker on said tyres.

[bonjon1979a]

The tyres are the same.

A car will make the best use of the identical equipment, so a slower car will be slower, and a faster car will be faster. That much is not rocket science.

Agreed. But a 1.5 second a lap gap in qualy is hasn't been anywhere near that much in the race because the faster teams know that if they push that hard they'll overheat the top surface of the tyres that will lead to increased wear and an overall slower time across the Gp.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Guys, let's stop beating around the bush here, it's ridiculous. At the moment the car is shower of shite, there simply isn't any arguing with that. I do however think there's a wide scope of improvement available. The one good thing about this year is the apparent small gap between the top teams. Every tenth is going to be crucial for Ferrari. Now I know all the other teams will be updating their cars too so i'm not saying we're going to be winning races anytime soon, but I can see perhaps some light at the end of the tunnel come Europe.

On the other hand, for all I know we won't be getting into Q3 for the rest of the year.

One thing though is for sure.....get rid of Massa !!

Edited by ConsiderAndGo, 21 March 2012 - 22:17.

[bonjon1979a]

You're complaining about the tyres. What I'm saying is, thats pointless, its up to the teams to design the cars around the tyres and make them faster on the tyres. There's no use whinging that tyres are limiting cars cos it isn't going to change, teams need to go away and think of ideas to make their cars quicker on said tyres.

I'm not whinging, just saying I don't particularly like it.

[SCUDmissile]

Yeah I don't agree with that tyre limited. If RB had so much downforce that they would ruin the tyres as was suggested last year, then they would have just popped on less wing and have good straight line speed as well.

I have been thinking, and I do not believe the F2012 is as bad as it seems. When you have a car with such rubbish traction, then Melbourne is not going to be top of your list, is it?
But the main reason is that I think improving the aero balance, however you do it,, would make the difference. The car may not be so bad aerodynamically, Seeing the race in Australia *. But when light, it just seems the lack of balance, which may also have a hand in the traction issues, just bogs the car down. I cannot imagine how much time is being lost there.

So I agree with Dunder in that if you improve the setup a litre, there would be good gains there, although I do not pretend to understand all the terms used in the last page

But really they need to bolt on some rear downforce, so the original exhaust is not necessarily the only solution. The upgrade for China, may not be as good in terms of points of df, but it would help the balance massively, and make the car a lot better.
The main thing I like is that they were honest with use before the race started, so there have been no surprises for them at least, and they have said the know the problems, although I expect some would not be filled with faith on hearing that, which I understand.

I guess I have faith in the team. Back in the good old days, they sometimes only raced their new cars at the beginning of Europe, and that was with massive testing. This is such a different car, that it will have taken time for it to be sorted out.
Somebody, I cannot remember who told us even before the launch that they were not expecting much from the early races, as this car is so different from F10, F150. It turns out he/she was right. So maybe in a way, the F2012 will roll out,in Europe and this is just some prototype version.

They have too many resources and too much talent to be in this situation for long, but luckily for them, now the pressure to an extent is off, as they have been written off, so they can bring the,selves up again.

* I deliberately did not count Massa as he is:
Crap
Car was awfully out of balance for him all weekend.
Whichever one you want to believe*

A lot of people may not agree with this, but this my 2 cents

Edited by SCUDmissile, 21 March 2012 - 22:25.

[bonjon1979a]

Yeah I don't agree with that tyre limited. If RB had so much downforce that they would ruin the tyres as was suggested last year, then they would have just popped on less wing and have good straight line speed as well.

I have been thinking, and I do not believe the F2012 is as bad as it seems. When you have a car with such rubbish traction, then Melbourne is not going to be top of your list, is it?
But the main reason is that I think improving the aero balance, however you do it,, would make the difference. The car may not be so bad aerodynamically, Seeing the race in Australia *. But when light, it just seems the lack of balance, which may also have a hand in the traction issues, just bogs the car down. I cannot imagine how much time is being lost there.

So I agree with Dunder in that if you improve the setup a litre, there would be good gains there, although I do not pretend to understand all the terms used in the last page

But really they need to bolt on some rear downforce, so the original exhaust is not necessarily the only solution. The upgrade for China, may not be as good in terms of points of df, but it would help the balance massively, and make the car a lot better.
The main thing I like is that they were honest with use before the race started, so there have been no surprises for them at least, and they have said the know the problems, although I expect some would not be filled with faith on hearing that, which I understand.

I guess I have faith in the team. Back in the good old days, they sometimes only raced their new cars at the beginning of Europe, and that was with massive testing. This is such a different car, that it will have taken time for it to be sorted out.
Somebody, I cannot remember who told us even before the launch that they were not expecting much from the early races, as this car is so different from F10, F150. It turns out he/she was right. So maybe in a way, the F2012 will roll out,in Europe and this is just some prototype version.

They have too many resources and too much talent to be in this situation for long, but luckily for them, now the pressure to an extent is off, as they have been written off, so they can bring the,selves up again.

* I deliberately did not count Massa as he is:
Crap
Car was awfully out of balance for him all weekend.
Whichever one you want to believe*

A lot of people may not agree with this, but this my 2 cents

You're ignoring the fact that they can have that pace for one lap, degradation isn't a concern in qualifying but if they did what you're suggesting they'd be well down the grid at the start of the race. Anyway, I don't want to derail the thread - it was a passing comment on perhaps why the cars were so close to each other in terms of pace and perhaps it's best left at that.

With regard to the ferrari I agree, I really don't think it's as bad as people are making out. The fact that it's quick in high speed stuff is interesting - it seems to suggest that they've got the downforce they need but are losing out in other areas. Clearly, it's the whole package that matters but I wouldn't be surprised if the car wins races once it's upgraded but on the other hand, and somewhat contradictorily, I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't win a race. It's really hard to tell at the moment and I'm sure far cleverer people than I are busy figuring it out.

[SCUDmissile]

You're ignoring the fact that they can have that pace for one lap, degradation isn't a concern in qualifying but if they did what you're suggesting they'd be well down the grid at the start of the race. Anyway, I don't want to derail the thread - it was a passing comment on perhaps why the cars were so close to each other in terms of pace and perhaps it's best left at that.

With regard to the ferrari I agree, I really don't think it's as bad as people are making out. The fact that it's quick in high speed stuff is interesting - it seems to suggest that they've got the downforce they need but are losing out in other areas. Clearly, it's the whole package that matters but I wouldn't be surprised if the car wins races once it's upgraded but on the other hand, and somewhat contradictorily, I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't win a race. It's really hard to tell at the moment and I'm sure far cleverer people than I are busy figuring it out.

Anything is possible. My other team, after being 10 points away from their bitter bitter rivals, just weeks ago, just went a point above them. This is Formula 1. As Martin Brundle says in one of my favourite quotes 'anything can and does happen' who knows, maybe RedBull get some trouble with their exhausts/Kers/McLaren RedBull run into some problems with dodgy parts or Merc duct etc. or Ferrari exhaust doesn't work. The season has not even started yet, IMO.

[Kvothe]

Anything is possible. My other team, after being 10 points away from their bitter bitter rivals, just weeks ago, just went a point above them. This is Formula 1. As Martin Brundle says in one of my favourite quotes 'anything can and does happen' who knows, maybe RedBull get some trouble with their exhausts/Kers/McLaren RedBull run into some problems with dodgy parts or Merc duct etc. or Ferrari exhaust doesn't work. The season has not even started yet, IMO.

Yeah we did

Oh and I agree with everything else.

[KnucklesAgain]

Except nowhere in the article is Allievi mentioned, unless I'm totally overlooking something. On the other hand, you have Domenicali saying no chassis change. I don't much care either way as long as they get it right, but there's no evidence to suggest they're completely changing the chassis to the point it needs a new crash test.

Searching all RSS-distributed articles from Allen's blog since January, I can find Allievi only in a Jan 29 article about Kubica. There is a blog post on March 7 mentioning sidepod changes to require a new crashtest, but this quotes Piola in Gazetta as the source.

[Starlight]

Here is a quick run down of the latest edition of AutoSprint on the Ferrari F2012:


AS 1
Alonso is "the miracle man", Massa is a problem. Ferrari needs two drivers who get points in every race, the more Alonso fights against the difficulties and gets point, the more Massa sink into difficulties. Between their fastest lap during the race there's 1.6 seconds of gap.
There's also 1 second of gap in the quali even if Massa used both sets of soft tyres.
Masssa complained all weekend.

AS 2
Last year Massa said he couldn't heat the tyres, this year he "destroys" the tyres after few laps.
But choosing his substitute is much difficult due the performance of the F2012.

AS3 Fernando is thiner, more thoughtful, Alonso got a 5th place in Melbourne only due to favorable circumstances like restarts.

AS 4
Speed problem:
This is a serious problem, many people say this is caused by the incidence angle of the wings but it isn't the only reason.

Balance problem
This is one of the most important problems, Ferrari says it's caused by the marbles who obstruct the diffuser. But if they are right even the other teams should have the same problems.
There's a big pitch so: can they solve this issue only with aereodynamic changes? Can pull-rod front suspension influence badly the balance? Fry says all is ok but in Sepang Ferrari will suffer a lot due to excessive tyres wear.

AS 5
In May a new version of the F2012 will arrive in Barcellona, they are going to use the original configuration of the exhausts system which is the most efficient but in this way the tyres are heated too much.
Ferrari has changed his exhausts system at the last moment so there is a big part of the bodywork which is unused and causes drag. Also, modifing the sidepods is very difficult because they have to change the resonance waves of the engine.
Domenicali hopes they will have new solution in China & Bahrain. But on the other hand, Ferrari is the fastest in the pit-stops and the F2012 can make very good starts.

One more page to translate... Coming shortly


edit: Rumors from reliable Spanish sources say that after the intense meeting in Maranello yesterday it was decided that some new parts would be taken to Malaysia. They do not know how successful the parts will be, but are being taken regardless.

I read that the cars were taken back to Maranello after Melbourne. Hopefully there have been some (surely minor) changes which can add to the performance. Knowing how the new parts have worked in the recent past, I won't be too hopeful....but then again...I have faith that they will eventually get it right!

Edited by Starlight, 22 March 2012 - 02:42.

[kosmos]

Massa: “My setup was not very different from Alonso’s,” said the 30-year-old, “but my tyres were gone after five laps.”

So at the end it's not a setup problem, the chassis was wrong or it's just Felipes driving style.

[RedF1]

So at the end it's not a setup problem, the chassis was wrong or it's just Felipes driving style.

QUOTE
Massa: “My setup was not very different from Alonso’s,” said the 30-year-old, “but my tyres were gone after five laps.”

In race yes, but 5 laps in qualifying should be enough to show how fast he can be, or better how slow he is.

[Massa]

The car is **** with low fuel. We will see at Sepang if Massa is at 7 tenth or even 1 second of Alonso. If he is at 1-2 tenth only, we could say his Melbourne chassis had a problem.

[currupipi]

The car is **** with low fuel. We will see at Sepang if Massa is at 7 tenth or even 1 second of Alonso. If he is at 1-2 tenth only, we could say his Melbourne chassis had a problem.

that sums up the whole story, we are going to spend pages and pages talking about this and that development and how we hope it is a step forward but we have started way behind the front runners and unless some sort extraordinary thing happens we are spending the year trying to catch up

[Massa]

[bonjon1979a]

Alonso's convinced that Ferrari are going to fight for the title apparently so they must be fairly sure they're on top of the problems. Quite a bold statement but that's not unusual for Fernando and probably just what everyone at the factory needs to hear to keep them motivated.

[puxanando]

Alonso's convinced that Ferrari are going to fight for the title apparently so they must be fairly sure they're on top of the problems. Quite a bold statement but that's not unusual for Fernando and probably just what everyone at the factory needs to hear to keep them motivated.

If Alonso is optimistic its always a good sign!

[RedOne]

If you read Alonso and Felipe's article on the front page it's becoming clear they have changed something pretty big in the cars, which explains why the cars were taken back to Maranello. Alonso says on his twitter "great job by Ferrari to have the car ready in time" and Felipe says "It's not just the chassis that's changed its everything". This weekend just got interesting again..

Edited by RedOne, 22 March 2012 - 12:04.

[One]

If you read Alonso and Felipe's article on the front page it's becoming clear they have changed something pretty big in the cars, which explains why the cars were taken back to Maranello. Alonso says on his twitter "great job by Ferrari to have the car ready in time" and Felipe says "It's not just the chassis that's changed its everything". This weekend just got interesting again..

[MoP]

When he says they changed everything. he means they replaced all the suspicious parts and not that they have a whole new car this weekend...

"Massa was keen to stress that while major components on the car had been changed, this was only aimed at solving the difficulties he encountered last week. “Even if we are changing the chassis and other parts, the car is still the same car in development terms that we had in Melbourne,” he explained. “We have to try this to get the most out of it, even if we are not where we ought to be in terms of performance compared to others. I hope this track will suit the car better.”

Edited by MoP, 22 March 2012 - 12:35.

[RedOne]

When he says they changed everything. he means they replaced all the suspicious parts and not that they have a whole new car this weekend...

"Massa was keen to stress that while major components on the car had been changed, this was only aimed at solving the difficulties he encountered last week. “Even if we are changing the chassis and other parts, the car is still the same car in development terms that we had in Melbourne,” he explained. “We have to try this to get the most out of it, even if we are not where we ought to be in terms of performance compared to others. I hope this track will suit the car better.”

Who said anything about a new car?

[slmk]

Alonso was equally optimistic regarding the F150... and look how it turned out. Let's wait until Q2 or Q3 on Saturday to see if they're on the right path.

[Seanspeed]

Alonso was equally optimistic regarding the F150... and look how it turned out. Let's wait until Q2 or Q3 on Saturday to see if they're on the right path.

We'll need to wait longer than that considering the car has no upgrades on it for this weekend.

Also, for people that keep saying the car is bad on low fuel, the times dont suggest this at all.

[medeni73]

New hole on that picture, extra cooling for drivers cos of the heat???

Edited by medeni73, 22 March 2012 - 13:49.

[One]

When he says they changed everything. he means they replaced all the suspicious parts and not that they have a whole new car this weekend...

"Massa was keen to stress that while major components on the car had been changed, this was only aimed at solving the difficulties he encountered last week. “Even if we are changing the chassis and other parts, the car is still the same car in development terms that we had in Melbourne,” he explained. “We have to try this to get the most out of it, even if we are not where we ought to be in terms of performance compared to others. I hope this track will suit the car better.”

recent cars got complex suspension so it is in itself a great work. Looking forward tot he race. It is abot the time Ferrari comes up again with new faces.