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In a top Formula One team there are may
roles within the team, which are important. From the team boss to the spare parts man to
the actual drivers there is a role to be played. One role, which is vital to the success
of a team, is that of race engineer. The race engineer acts as a link from the team to the
drivers.
At Scuderia Ferrari Luca Baldissieri is Michael Schumacher's engineer while Carlo Cantoni
works with Rubens Barrichello.
"Our job is as easy to describe as it is complex to perform. We have to co-ordinate
all the work, which must be carried out on the car. Operating under our instruction is an
engine engineer and another for the chassis.
Then there are between six and seven mechanics. Along with the driver and the engineers,
we discuss and organise changes to the set up and changes to running of the car."
Says Baldissieri. Cantoni adds "With the engine man, we work on finding a
configuration best suited to whatever track we are at from race to race. Using the
telemetry, we monitor every single aspect of the way the car is running on the track.
Then, once the session is over, we examine all the days and take decisions as to how we
can get the most out of the car."
As such the race engineer works closely with his driver and the driver has good faith in
his engineer. Luca used to take car of Eddie Irvine and Carlo is enjoying his first taste
of this position having previously worked with the Ferrari team as a track engineer.
All positions in the Ferrari team are important to the overall success of the team, but
the race engineers have that little bit more importance. |
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