213 replies to this topic

[Forghieri]

News from Leo Turrini on Ferrari structure for 2018.

 

No revolutions.

Chief designer: Simone Resta (hopefully aided by the “adorable retiree” Rory Byrne).

Aerodynamics: Enrico Cardile.

Power unit: Corrado Iotti.

Diego Ioverno will be moved from race engineer to “internal tasks”. His competences will be taken on by Jock Clear.

 

http://www.quotidian...-dai-box-5.4785

 

I remember last year there was considerable skepticism on their organization, but they didn’t fare too badly.

Edited by Forghieri, 18 December 2017 - 13:44.

[steferrari]

 

New car to be unveiled on February 22.

[Forghieri]

Ferrari’s “heart” will once again be designed in Maranello only.

The partnership with Austrian company AvL has been ended. The results of the collaboration have not been exciting, especially concerning internal combustion.

Wolf Zimmerman, the power unit specialist who arrived in 2014 from Mercedes and was taking care of the partnership, has left Ferrari.

The 2018 ICE, rumoured to gain more than 40 HP over the previous spec, should have debuted at Monza as 2017 spec 4, but bench testing showed that it could last less than 4 races, so it was not used this year.

The article seems to imply that the reliability problems have now been solved but does not explain how.

 

https://it.motorspor...ranello-986997/

[Vettelari]

40 HP should be enough to close the gap. All Ferrari needed was another tenth of a second on Mercedes. Had that been the case in 2017, Ferrari would have had 9 poles vs. Mercedes 11. If they gain 40 hp and Mercedes can only squeeze out 30 hp, 2018 is going to be a knock down, drag-out fight between Vettel and 44.

[Nonesuch]

Even with Pirelli trying to go back to 2-stop races, qualifying pace is still going to be one of the top priorities for next season. 

 

It doesn't do anyone any good to be starting at a significant disadvantage. If Ferrari can't make that happen, all the usual talk of 'race pace' will make about as much difference as it has in the last few years.

 

Anyway, February 22 seems really late, but that's the way it is these days! Let's hope it's a nice one!

[Whiz]

We definitely need a better car for Qualifying. Our race pace was very good in most races.

[as65p]

It's an even numbered year, so the only question is, how best limit the damage for another go in 2019.

 

Just joking of course. Kind of...

[FLB]

40 HP should be enough to close the gap. All Ferrari needed was another tenth of a second on Mercedes. Had that been the case in 2017, Ferrari would have had 9 poles vs. Mercedes 11. If they gain 40 hp and Mercedes can only squeeze out 30 hp, 2018 is going to be a knock down, drag-out fight between Vettel and 44.

Yeah, but that's so long as Mercedes does not make gains. Case in point: 1980. The 312T5 was 0,5s a lap quicker than the championship-winning T4 'round Fiorano, The problem was that everybody else gained the equivalent of two full seconds between 1979 and 1980...

[SCUDmissile]

 

And he explained that in addition to the engine problems that cost Vettel points in Malaysia and Japan, the team had also had problems with the final development planned for the power-unit, which never made it to the track.

 

But he added: "We can settle the accounts in 2018."

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/42403913

[Yoshi]

Some news about the team for next year

 

Source: http://www.speedweek...el-im-Team.html

Corrado Lottil will take over the position from Sassi, previously employed in the GT Division.

 

The Italian Diego Ioverno took over in 2016 the job as team and operations manager at the GP venues, as Massimo Rivola became the head of the youth development program.

Now the next change is about to begin: Ioverno, head of production in Maranello before 2016, is to return to the factory. The Englishman Jock Clear, chief engineer, is to receive more competences.

Enrico Cardile remains chief aerodynamicist and, of course, team boss Maurizio Arrivebene retains his post.

 

Edited by Yoshi, 20 December 2017 - 09:39.

[Forghieri]

From F1analisi tecnica:

 

How much has Rory Byrne been involved in the development of SF70-H in 2017? Very little, because he was working on the 2018 car.

 

On the SF70H Byrne had given an important contribution to the innovative design of the floor and rear wing.

 

On the 2018 project he has focused on how to reinforce the chassis as needed by the Halo installation without increasing its weight.

 

Apparently he has found good solutions and he will now move on to work on the 2019 concept. This means that the 2018 design is on time, contrary to last year when it was late and Byrne had to work full time on the 2017 project until few weeks before the championship start.

 

http://www.f1analisi...rory-byrne.html

Edited by Forghieri, 20 December 2017 - 11:09.

[SCUDmissile]

Shrodinger's Byrne

[Forghieri]

SF70H was expected to feature extreme design solutions and lived up to expectations. After a disappointing 2016, for the 2017 car Marchionne had asked Mattia Binotto a more disruptive approach focused on finding grey areas in the rules, even if that meant protests from other teams.

This approach à la Newey has worked in 2017 and is confirmed for 2018: Marchionne declared “we in GES have people who are paid exclusively to find loopholes in the technical regulations.”

 

https://it.motorspor...-regole-989972/

[GoldenColt]

Not sure how clever it is to boast about that...

[Forghieri]

Not sure how clever it is to boast about that...

 

I wish he didn't brag like that. They should do their talking on the track.

[SCUDmissile]

Passed the crash tests. So early, no?

They weren't joking about no rest it seems.

[Forghieri]

Ferrari has passed the 2018 frontal crash test. They are believed to be the first team to do so.

 

However, like other teams, they are forced to change the frontal suspension geometry. They asked for clarifications on this point months ago, but only now they received a negative response.

 

https://it.motorspor...io-2018-990614/

Edited by Forghieri, 23 December 2017 - 16:36.

[Forghieri]

Gazzetta dello Sport reports rumours of an integration between the vertical deflectors and the blowing on the floor, which should also be equipped with a central channel of variable length, as well as ducts that will interact with the diffuser. 

 

https://www.diariode...20171224-474165

[PeterScandlyn]

Ferrari’s “heart” will once again be designed in Maranello only.

The partnership with Austrian company AvL has been ended. The results of the collaboration have not been exciting, especially concerning internal combustion.

Wolf Zimmerman, the power unit specialist who arrived in 2014 from Mercedes and was taking care of the partnership, has left Ferrari.

The 2018 ICE, rumoured to gain more than 40 HP over the previous spec, should have debuted at Monza as 2017 spec 4, but bench testing showed that it could last less than 4 races, so it was not used this year.

The article seems to imply that the reliability problems have now been solved but does not explain how.

 

https://it.motorspor...ranello-986997/

 

 

Okay, just let's see if I understood correctly here....

 

Ferrari have sucked the tit of AVL as hard as they could, paid them for the privilege (one would hope) and taken what they'd gained in house as all their own IP....Sound right?

[Forghieri]

Ferrari's work on the 2018 car is on schedule, the car is light and allows optimal ballast distribution, but there are two problems:

 

- the power unit still has reliability issues and so far no single unit has completed a 7-races simulation.

 

- like other teams, they have to change the front suspension geometry and this will make the car a little less efficient in fast corners.

 

https://www.f1sport....che-grattacapo/

[Boing Ball]

Why did the teams have to change the front suspension geometry?

[Forghieri]

Why did the teams have to change the front suspension geometry?

 

Because of a directive by FIA:

 

https://www.autospor...spension-tricks

[SCUDmissile]

- the power unit still has reliability issues and so far no single unit has completed a 7-races simulation.

https://www.f1sport....che-grattacapo/

Amazing if true, as they were the ones that vetoed any attempts to prevent that rule.

What a shambles.

[Forghieri]

Evolution rather than revolution is Ferrari's choice for 2018. Next year's car will have a slightly longer wheelbase (whereas Mercedes' wheelbase should be slightly shorter than in 2017, but still much longer than Ferrari's).
The peculiar design of the airflow conditioners in front of the sidepods will be kept. The radiators are rumoured to be particularly compact, thus reducing the aerodynamic resistance.

https://it.motorspor...a-sf70h-991127/

Edited by Forghieri, 26 December 2017 - 18:53.

[jjcale]

Evolution rather than revolution is Ferrari's choice for 2018. Next year's car will have a slightly longer wheelbase (whereas Mercedes' wheelbase should be slightly shorter than in 2017, but still much longer than Ferrari's).
The peculiar design of the airflow conditioners in front of the sidepods will be kept. The radiators are rumoured to be particularly compact, thus reducing the aerodynamic resistance.

https://it.motorspor...a-sf70h-991127/

 

Its on ..... gonna be an awesome season.... cant wait!!!

[jjcale]

Not sure how clever it is to boast about that...

 

Marchionne has no filter .... he said recently KR is "a laggard" and unless they find "the right key" for him in 2018 he is out; and that SV has the temperament of "a boy from the south of Italy"! 

 

... and this was meant to motivate the team  

[Jovanotti]

- the power unit still has reliability issues and so far no single unit has completed a 7-races simulation.

This is bullshit. 3 PU's per season, that's not F1 but endurance racing.

[Danyy]

This is bullshit. 3 PU's per season, that's not F1 but endurance racing.

You can thank Ferrari and Marchionne for it going through. Oh the irony If this comes back to bite them.

[Danyy]

Amazing if true, as they were the ones that vetoed any attempts to prevent that rule.

What a shambles.

Did they do it because they actually thought they could beat Mercedes on reliablity? Lol Or maybe they are worried about a threat from behind?

Either way it’s a bizarre decision when you’re not even number one on reliablity in the first place.

Edited by Danyy, 26 December 2017 - 21:26.

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

I'm not sure if PU engineers at Ferrari would be happy with 3 PU limit as well. IMO Sergio Marchionne is just playing hardball with anyone/anything against his thoughts.

 

If we presume Ferrari have a PU with high durability for 2018 and PU limit is more than 3, again they will enjoy their advantage by running their durable PU harder than their rivals.

[Vettelari]

If there's any questions about reliability, teams should just plan on using 4 or 5 from the beginning. Take the penalties as they come. That's the best way to manage it instead of having to milk units that are at their limit throughout the season.

[SCUDmissile]

Did they do it because they actually thought they could beat Mercedes on reliablity? Lol Or maybe they are worried about a threat from behind?

Either way it’s a bizarre decision when you’re not even number one on reliablity in the first place.

I have no idea. Such a dumb thing to veto.

Only thing I can envisage is that they fear a threat from further behind, or this is part of some agreement they have with Mercedes.

[Forghieri]

I have no idea. Such a dumb thing to veto.

Only thing I can envisage is that they fear a threat from further behind, or this is part of some agreement they have with Mercedes.

 

An agreement with Mercedes seems to me the most logical explanation.

[as65p]

An agreement with Mercedes seems to me the most logical explanation.

 

Yeah. There are various pointers how the big guys plot along behind the scenes, this could be just another case of it.

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

An agreement with Mercedes seems to me the most logical explanation.

 

Yeah. There are various pointers how the big guys plot along behind the scenes, this could be just another case of it.

I don't think so but If true then IMO Ferrari is Mercedes' second team 

Edited by RainyAfterlifeDaylight, 27 December 2017 - 09:49.

[ferrarista]

I'll wait for the talking on the track.

 

Said this, I expect another 2004 season with a super Mercedes car-engine-driver combo; I hope I'm wrong obviously.

Edited by ferrarista, 27 December 2017 - 12:08.

[sopa]

Ferrari exceeded many expectations in 2017, let's see if they can give another fight for the championship.

 

3 PU's is going to be a concern, but using 4 powerful PU's over a year and taking a planned back-of-the-grid penalty in, say, Spa, isn't the end of the world. The key is to consistently compete at the front.

[Nonesuch]

Either way it’s a bizarre decision when you’re not even number one on reliablity in the first place.

 

I strongly doubt any team is seriously planning to use only three engines next year.

 

The key will be managing when to take the "penalty", which is nothing more than a bad starting position.

 

In the last few years, Hamilton and Vettel have both done multiple races where they gained more than 20 positions in the race. There have been 10 such races in this V6 era alone.

[MastaKink]

I strongly doubt any team is seriously planning to use only three engines next year.

 

The key will be managing when to take the "penalty", which is nothing more than a bad starting position.

 

In the last few years, Hamilton and Vettel have both done multiple races where they gained more than 20 positions in the race. There have been 10 such races in this V6 era alone.

 

I'd be surprised if Mercedes are thinking of taking a penalty to be honest, I think at least one of the Mercedes drivers will go penalty free and the customers will too by looking after them more than the works team do.

 

Has a Mercedes customer ever had to take a penalty?

[Mercstar]

Rumour that the 2018 Ferrari will have a longer wheel base than its predecessor:

 

https://www.oasport....ne-della-sf70h/

[Forghieri]

The results of the simulations on the 2018 car have been positively surprising.

 

Some changes could still occur in the team structure, with a more "flat" organization, like in FCA.

 

https://www.formulap...le-simulazioni/

[johnmhinds]

https://twitter.com/...808790761627648

 

 

 

Interestingly, Ferrari have changed the logo everywhere today

 

 

Looks like they've ditched all the boxy Scuderia Ferrari/Philip Morris logos from their marketing.

Edited by johnmhinds, 01 January 2018 - 22:13.

[SCUDmissile]

Twitter seems to think they may be changing to be sponsored by PM's E-cigarette brand.

Scuderia Ferrari Iqos..

[Afaf]

Even if Ferrari don't develop much (or you know, they develop at the same rate as Mercedes) they should still put up a serious fight. They were quicker than Merc at quite a lot of tracks last year and some unexpected ones like Brazil.

They will want to make sure they nail the Asian leg this time around though. Malaysia off the calender probably hurts them.
Kimi also simply has to chip in more and take points off Lewis on the odd occassion.

[Zava]

 

Gazzetta dello Sport reports rumours of an integration between the vertical deflectors and the blowing on the floor, which should also be equipped with a central channel of variable length, as well as ducts that will interact with the diffuser. 

 

https://www.diariode...20171224-474165

 

can anyone explain what that means? 

[Forghieri]

Marchionne claims that the removed Sassi from his role as a normal instance of job-rotation and confirms that the Italian engineer will join Mercedes after his gardening leave. He says that Ferrari tried to retain him either in the GT department which he comes from or in the Ferrari group, but that Sassi wanted to stay in Formula 1. Then, with his usual elegance, Marchionne adds: “I don’t know who said that Sassi is a prodigy, I don’t recall ever having said this. We can confirm that we had issues on the test bench and that because of them we couldn’t end our season well. It’s also true on the other hand that our problems were not due to him only, but for the team it was a normal change. Now we have Corrado Iotti in that role and we are doing all right with him.”

 

(Summary and comments are mine, not a literal translation):

 

https://www.formulap...f1-va-mercedes/

Edited by Forghieri, 03 January 2018 - 16:22.

[Jovanotti]

Hell has officially frozen over, ladies and gentlemen - Kimi Räikkönen has opened an Instagram account:

 

https://www.instagra...atiasraikkonen/

 

I guess his Insta-savvy wife has broken him 

Edited by Jovanotti, 03 January 2018 - 16:38.

[Forghieri]

All Formula 1 teams have a third suspension element that helps to control the vertical displacement of the suspension, but only some of them (notably Mercedes and Red Bull) have a fully hydraulic front end. While the SF70H had a mechanic third element, the 669 will have a hydraulic one.

 

It is not clear yet whether the 669 will be high rake like the Red Bull or low rake, high stability, low ground clearance like the Mercedes: it seems likely they will be high rake but we will only know for sure in Barcelona.

 

https://it.motorspor...raulico-992402/

[Forghieri]

In 2018 Mercedes should reduce its wheelbase from about 3760 mm to about 3660 mm, while Ferrari should increase it from about 3590 mm to about 3650 mm. Ferrari simulations show a better aerodynamic efficiency with the longer wheelbase.

 

According to rumours the reliability problems of the power unit have now been solved, and the interaction between ICE and MGU-K has been optimized.

 

There's a pun in the title ("Ferrari and Mercedes are close in 'passo'", which in Italian means both 'wheelbase' and 'pace').

 

https://www.formulap...cine-nel-passo/

[Nicktendo86]

I honestly think Ferrari will be the team to beat next year.