Scuderia Ferrari Interviews & News

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Luca di Montezemolo: "Only one objective: winning"

Maranello, 28 January - Chairman, you have asked for a car, which can immediately win?

Yes, I asked the team that with trust in the work we've done in the wind tunnel, setting the goal for improvement regarding last year's car.

Aren't you worried that maybe some rules this year might limit Formula 1?

Let me use this question for a constructive discourse concerning the Federation, where we recreated a good climate. Historically Ferrari has always been collaborative and has respected the rules. I think that last year, without triggering a revolution, we had an intense season with unforeseeable results. I think that we have to concentrate on three fundamental points: first, Formula 1 is based in an excessive way on aerodynamics, which is the point, which makes the difference. In the 1970s it was more about the engine and mechanics, now it's all about aerodynamics. Second, it's about the tests: a sport on such a level can't continue with such an absurd limitation regarding testing, in terms of development and in terms of safety, for our new drivers, who have to involved and have to be able to test. Last but not least the technology transfer. Formula 1 has to be more and more also a laboratory, a centre of advanced research for innovative technologies for tomorrow's cars. The KERS is very important in this context and Ferrari as a manufacturer had and has extraordinary support in Formula 1. Just think about the F1 gearbox, modified chassis, electronics, flat underbody and many more in the road cars.

It's mainly about expenses and the permanence in Formula 1. Formula 1 will always have high and strong investment. Who can't make these investments will race in other series. Limited expenses are easily to avoid, we have to continue on the right track reducing costs, while the real DNA of F1 doesn't change. But if we're heading towards an equalisation towards the bottom of performance, then this is not good and the engines can't be the same for all. Naturally costs are fundamental, but without loosing the sports essence. With serenity and dialogue you can improve a Formula, which already today is really extraordinary.

What about the future?: the rule regarding 4-cylinder engines can still be changed? We know that Ferrari is engaged for a 6-cylinder engine.

Yes, that's true. I spoke to Todt and I'm glad the there is a different climate of dialogue than in the past. We're engaged in technological challenges such as the FF: a 4-cylinder Ferrari seems absurd to me. We've not even built a 10-cylinder Ferrari and I'm still thinking that a 6-cylinder would have been more in line with the Formula 1 positioning on the market.

It's paradoxical saying it, but calling a car today F150 and showing the Italian flag is a very strong signal. Don't you fear that this might cost Ferrari some sympathy?

Over the last 20 years we've always sported the Italian flag on the car. And personally I always thought that it is important. 2011 is the year we are even more Italian and we're proud being it. When we're listening to our national anthem after a victory of our country it's always very emotional. I'm not talking about politics, we want to concentrate on sports. Just like many sportsmen are moved by competing for the Italian flag, we are happy to show it on our car. It's the symbol of a winning Italy, united in sports. I want to add that it is an important signal for an Italian company, which is moving ahead with the deep conviction of being it.

Sergio Marchionne said that he doesn't exclude that Alfa Romeo might come back into motorsports: do you consider a synergy with Ferrari?

As far as Alfa is concerned, everything is possible, the brand is extremely sporty and connected to Ferrari since the early days of motorsports. There are many possibilities.

A question regarding the drivers: who of Fernando and Felipe will have more advantages from the Team's new organisation?

I'm glad that you're asking, because it is since 1974 that I am asked this question, since Lauda and Regazzoni. I told you last December that there won't be a revolution and we worked on two points: First, we don't insert too many people from the outside, only a few, with specific competences, culture and a way of working in very specific areas. Second, improving the facilities and the tools today's rules bring with them, so more investment in aerodynamics and tests in the wind tunnel for example.

This doesn't have any particular effects on the drivers. The drivers can give recommendations, talk about their impressions, can ask the car to be set up for their driving styles. But we have to put both drivers in a condition with the bets possible car. We restructured the organisation of the single teams, hoping that Massa will be competitive right from the start and Alonso with the same capacity as last year, where he showed that he is the best driver in the world.

In Germany they are talking a lot about Vettel coming to Ferrari: does that mean that someone contacted him for the future or is that pure fiction? The next Ferrari driver will be an exceptional driver from the market or a driver from the Ferrari Driver Academy?

I hope that he will come from the Ferrari Driver Academy, because that would mean that he's a "top star". Naturally Ferrari puts a driver in the car able to win. One of the ideas of the Academy is to have the next Scuderia driver in-house. There is absolutely nothing going on with Vettel, apart from the congratulations for a wonderful season and the fact that he knew how to benefit from the last race in Abu Dhabi.

-source: ferrari

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Fernando Alonso: "I'm always putting lots of pressure on myself"

Maranello, 28 January 2011 - Fernando, let's imagine a situation where in Bahrain three cars are right one behind the other. What can happen?

The mobile rear wing can only be used on one straight on a lap, so the most important thing would be to arrive at the last corner with less than 1.5 seconds behind the car in front, which is really difficult. I don't see the possibility of many overtaking manoeuvres. I think that it will still be difficult to overtake. And overtaking will still include taking risk.

You will have one month and a half with 15 testing days. How will you use the time when you're not in the car?

I think that also the days I'm not testing will be very important and I'll be at the track anyway, when Felipe is in the car, following the tests and the development. The data he can collect will be also useful for me and vice versa.

Do you think that all the commands on the steering wheel take a little bit the fun out of driving?

I think more than anything else that all these commands make driving more difficult. It's much more difficult than you can imagine driving a Formula 1 single-seater. As of this year there are two more buttons: to control the wing and the Kers. Driving a GT is much more fun and you can concentrate more on driving.

Do you have your perfect weight to drive this year? The driving position is higher than last year. Will this change your style?

I started with my preparations and I count on it to be 100% in shape for Australia, because we want to be perfectly fit for the races in Australia, Malaysia and China. Last week I rode my bike a lot, went to swim, ran and did exercises for my neck. The weight is fine. I don't think that I'll have any problems with the Kers, also because the car's minimum weight has been upped to 640 kg. The seat and the driving position won't change the driver's perspective too much.

Could the new parameters like the tyre wear influence your driving style?

I don't know. We still have to test. We'll find out if the higher tyre wear is just mere speculation. Naturally one pit stop instead of two means a lot in a race, because for one stop you loose 25 seconds, which you might regain in 30 laps.

What pressure do you apply to yourself? Which team do you think can set up a car, which can compete with Ferrari?

The pressure I put on myself is high. The motivation in the first months of the year is the same as every year. I think I'm part of a unique team and also this presentation proofs it. The other teams will present their cars at the first test, just before they start to drive, and nobody will say anything, neither the drivers nor the Chairmen.

To answer your question I think that Mercedes might have the possibility to build a competitive car, but also McLaren and Red Bull; we have to fight with them.

How much of yourself is in the car for 2011?

When I arrived in 2010 I found a very different car compared to the one I had driven before. This year I contributed and I think that also my driving style had an influence on the development. Now I also know the people in my team and I've got a good relationship with them and I'm always putting them under pressure.

-source: ferrari

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Felipe Massa: "I want to be competitive as of the first race "

Maranello, 28 January 2011 -- In 2009 you directly experienced driving with the Kers. How do you feel about using it again this year?

I think that we're working in the same direction as in 2009 and since then lots of development has been done. We haven't tried it out yet, but I think that we'll have a good Kers, a little bit lighter and still strong, without losing the car's set up. It's important finding the perfect system with all the variables involved.

Do you think that you'll have problems regarding the visibility due to the height of the car's nose?

The nose is higher, but we've worked a lot on changing and setting up the seat. It seems as if for now there weren't any more problems.

The season is very long: did you review your physical exercise schedule?

I exercised a lot. Usually I'm in Brazil, because it's warmer there and now it's summer. Here in Europe it's more difficult. I also considered the weight, regarding the Kers.

Last year your driving style wasn't perfect for the car. Did you give some indications this year?

Yes, but many things have changed. I want to be more competitive from the first to the last race this year and I think that also the Pirelli tyres will help me here.

How should the Pirelli tyres be made to help your driving style?

Last year Bridgestone changed the front tyres a lot compared to 2009. This led to lots of understeer. The tyres were much harder and difficult to bring up to the right temperature. I tried to modify the front tyres, but then the rear tyres didn't work as they should have, so it was a real fight. This year Pirelli should have prepared much stronger front tyres, for more grip. This is much better for my driving style.

There were some unpleasant episodes for you last year. Did you ask for guarantees from the team?

I'm racing in a team where I want to win. I trust the team 100% that they give me the perfect car to compete for victory.

-source: ferrari

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Stefano Domenicali: "Starting well immediately"

Maranello, 28 January - Stefano, is it important to start well this year?

Yes, it's fundamental, also because if you don't start gaining points immediately, you can't recover them later. Naturally at the start there's a higher possibility to make up for possible mistakes, but the points lost can't be regained.

One year ago you won at the start. This year, are you pointing towards the whole season or more towards the early stages?

Honestly I don't expect to see the real potential of our competitors in the first tests, but we'll know more in Barcelona. Bahrain will be the first real test. Our strategy, which is a conservative approach, is to make it to the end and be ahead. To reach this objective the mobile rear wing has to be interpreted and used best possible, together with the KERS, where we had many problems in 2009, but we hope that we could solve them due to our experience. As far as aerodynamics is concerned I think that there will be less improvement as the season goes on, so we have to start well immediately.

Ferrari has worked and is still working on limiting expenses and controlling them with the others.

We want to monitor the expenses attentively, because when we enter a commitment we respect it. We were the first to accept a step back for the greater good of Formula 1 at an historical moment, when it was necessary. We invested in places close by, in Fiorano and in Mugello. But limiting costs can't be something where the whole system gets stuck. Knowing that other teams really want to win, everything to be able to compete on the highest levels has to be done, respecting also non-motorsport commitments we've taken. We'll monitor this and we all will talk about it together.

Apart from the new regulations, how are you prepared as far as the tyres are concerned?

The tyres are a fundamental issue. The new tyres are significantly different from the others, so there might be more pit stops and we have to understand how not to stress them too much. The first tests next week are very important to understand the tyres. I hope that it will rain for at least one day, because we don't have any indication regarding the tyres' behaviour on the wet, apart from the first data from the test Pirelli carried out under almost monsoon-like conditions. There are many unknown factors to consider.

Which areas have been included in the cost monitoring?

Those areas include the chassis, apart from the engine and the gearbox. Over the years we tried to set a limit regarding the expenses also as far as the number of people involved is concerned and the external expenses we have to cover every year. We lowered the expenses by about 30 to 40%, while we also reduced the number of people in the group working in the motorsport department.

-source: ferrari

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Alonso: F150 will suit me much better

Fernando Alonso believes he will be in a much stronger position for the start of his second season at Ferrari as the team will have been able to design the F150 with his driving style in mind.

The Spaniard admitted that he had needed time to adapt to driving a Ferrari when he joined at the start of last year following two seasons back at Renault, but thinks working with the Italian squad for a full championship campaign will have meant new developments were increasingly suited to him.

"There are no doubts that when I arrived in January 2010, I drove a car that had different characteristics to what I drove in previous years," said Alonso at Ferrari's launch in Maranello today.

"Now I will drive a car that is a continuity of what I drove in 2010. I think all the developments and the direction that you go with improvements in the car over one year has some kind of definition of your driving style.

"I think that helps the designer of the car and the technical people with next year's car, so I think in 2011 there will be some kind of direction that we took in 2010 regarding my driving style.

"So I think I will feel more confident with this year's car. I will feel more comfortable driving the car, it will be more predictable to me. And I know the team now - I know the people, I know the guys, I know the names of all my mechanics, something that was not the case in Bahrain last year. So that will also help.

"Last year I didn't have the numbers of these guys [Ferrari designers] but now I do so I call them every two days to put some pressure on. Hopefully we'll see in Valencia if that pressure helped or if it was the wrong pressure..."

The double world champion insisted he was taking a neutral approach to the first tests of the winter at Valencia next week and would not get too obsessed with the car's initial speed.

"Today we have no big concerns," said Alonso. "We know that this is the start of the season. We don't have a great expectation, we don't have big problems.

"There is a lot to do. It's only 28 January. We haven't started the tests yet. At Valencia we'll know something more, and then we'll see.

"The car [at the first race] will be very different from the cars we see in Valencia, and then again by races three and four there will be another development. The cars will change throughout the season, in such a long championship there will be many changes. So what will happen at the beginning of February is not so important.

"We will try to start the year in the best possible way, but without any panic."

He added that his personal appearance was also set to change before the opening round, saying that the beard which had attracted so much comment in recent weeks was unlikely to last until Bahrain.

"I don't think so," he said. "In Bahrain I will have a more standard look because my mother doesn't like this..."

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Ferrari: Push-rod layout is right move

Ferrari says that an 'extreme' solution to its rear suspension design has allowed it to stick with the push-rod set-up for this year's F150.

Before the launch of the team's 2011 challenger, many were expecting Ferrari to opt for the Red Bull Racing-led route of a pull-rod suspension at the rear - which theoretically can allow for better aerodynamic packaging.

However, Ferrari's 2011 challenger has stuck with the more traditional push-rod layout - which can have some advantages in terms of component placement and produces different performance characteristics.

The team's chief designer Nikolas Tombazis reckons that Ferrari has been able to keep all the benefits of the push-rod layout without suffering any drawbacks in terms of the aerodynamic layout at the rear of the car.

"We evaluated different suspension configurations, and also pull-rod suspension like the one Red Bull introduced," he explained at the launch of the new Ferrari F150 on Friday.

"There are different possibilities - one is for aero volumes and we have found a way, which is not so visible on the car right now, to reduce the volume of the push rod suspension in an extreme way.

"That means we could reduce the rear volume, so our version is far more compact compared to the previous ones. We believe we have reached a similar level of packaging to the other ones."

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Ferrari using Toyota's wind-tunnel

Ferrari has revealed that it has been using Toyota's wind-tunnel to help with the development of its new Formula 1 car.

The Italian outfit is eager to make big aerodynamic gains this year, and decided that it needed to use a facility other than its own Maranello facility if it was to do that.

As it tried to balance what it could do under the terms of the Resource Restriction Agreement, which in principle allows teams to spend more money if they outsource more, Ferrari elected that using the Cologne facility of the former Toyota team was its best bet.

Speaking about the decision to use Toyota's wind-tunnel, Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa said: "There are some FOTA regulation restrictions in terms of expense - which is the cost for the framework, the number of people working in the team, the number of hours spent in the wind tunnel, and also the power of the server for the CFD.

"These are the four restrictions and the last two are connected - so it is up to the team how to spend money, how to employ people and where to work.

"We therefore decided to really focus on the work of the wind tunnel, and one wind tunnel was not enough - we needed one and a little bit more.

"The Toyota tunnel is one of the commercial tunnels that is more state-of-the-art, and that is why we have selected it."

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said that Ferrari's period of work with Toyota would be coming to an end in the next few days.

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Ferrari won't judge early testing form

Ferrari believes that early testing form will not provide any clear indication of the 2011 form book, with team boss Stefano Domenicali predicting it will only be at the final two tests where the true picture will emerge.

While a majority of teams will get down to work with their 2011 challengers at Valencia next week, Domenicali says his outfit is not going to worry about out-and-out pace in its early running.

Instead, it wants to focus on good reliability for the new F150 and being sure that it hits peak pace only for the first race of the season in Bahrain.

"I am not expecting at the first test to have a real picture of the competition," said Domenicali at the launch of Ferrari's new car on Friday. "All of us will pursue different objectives and only in Barcelona [for the third test] will we understand something more. In the [final] Bahrain test we will have a better idea of the competitive situation."

He added: "We will have a flavour of performance after Valencia and Jerez, but in the third test we will get a good overview - as at Barcelona there are some bends where we tended to be a little bit inferior compared to our opponents. We will understand there if we have improved in that technical aspect, which was not our strength."

Ferrari wants to take a more conservative approach to testing this year to ensure that it can deliver a strong haul of points early on in the campaign.

He is well aware that, although a strategy error cost it the 2010 title in the final race in Abu Dhabi, it could have avoided being in that situation by not having lost so many points early on in the campaign.

"It is fundamental to start well, because in a championship like last year if you don't gain points from the very beginning you may pay the price at the end. I think that, in terms of reliability and performance, it is important not to lose points.

"This is very important. Of course you have opportunities to recover, but the more points you can get, the better it is to be in the top ranking."

Domenicali also said that he was not worried at the moment about the possibility of rival teams having found potential loopholes in the 2011 regulations.

"I've been told that the others have interpreted in a very aggressive way these rules, but I am used to not react in an aggressive way," he said. "We will see and understand if it is true or not, or whether it is a promotional campaign."

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Bianchi slams testing rules

Testing has been scaled back in the sport to save costs with the first official session only starting on Tuesday in Valencia.

Given the first race in Bahrain on March 13 is fast approaching, regular drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will take to the wheel in Spain rather than Bianchi.

"Definitely for young drivers it doesn't help," the 21-year-old, who came through Ferrari's young driver academy to be named test and reserve driver this year, said.

"Fortunately I'm at Ferrari and it's the best place to learn. I'm able to test older cars like from two years ago and that's good experience."

France, which lost the Magny-Cours grand prix in 2008 and has seen Renault become Lotus Renault this year and take a British licence, has also struggled to produce a top driver since four-times world champion Alain Prost in the 1980/90s.

Massa's long-term future at Ferrari is under scrutiny after a poor season last year and Bianchi is hopeful he can make a breakthrough into Formula One soon and make France a proud motor sport nation again.

He has cut his teeth in the GP2 series with ART Grand Prix where he will continue to drive this year.

"I finished third last year and I'm aiming for victory this season, I'm confident," he said.

Being present at Ferrari's glitzy launch of the 2011 car at their Maranello factory on Friday really brought home to Bianchi how special F1's most glamorous and oldest team can be.

"It's been spectacular, an amazing experience and I'm really happy to be here with all these people," he smiled sheepishly in his smart Ferrari blazer.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo backed Bianchi as a potential future Ferrari grand prix driver and understood his frustration.

"I hope the next Ferrari driver is a driver from the drivers' academy because this will mean they are a top star," he said, again denying any contact with Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel.

"The rules on testing are absurd ... and do nothing for young drivers," Montezemolo added, saying his idea for a third car built by the big manufacturers but run by smaller teams would also help up and coming drivers.
Reuters

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Ferrari: Demand on drivers 'unacceptable'
Source: Autosport

Formula 1 technical chiefs are to keep a close check on whether drivers are struggling with being asked to operate too many buttons on their steering wheels this year - with Ferrari suggesting the situation could have reached an 'unacceptable' level.

A number of drivers have already voiced concerns that safety could be compromised in 2011 because of the number of controls they are now being required to operate in the cockpit – which can be a distraction while they are trying to race their cars at the limit.

As well as the normal car items like radio, differential and brake balance controls that drivers will regularly operate on a lap, for 2011 drivers are going to have to flick switches to power up and activate KERS, as well as make use of the moveable rear wing.

Ferrari technical chief Aldo Costa has now backed the concerns that his drivers have expressed about the matter – and revealed that F1 think-tank the Technical Working Costa is looking into the situation.

"We have reached an unacceptable threshold," said Costa, whose team became the first to run its 2011 car at Maranello on Friday.

"We are discussing it in the TWG, and evaluating that aspect by means of simulator. We are considering whether drivers can physically manage all these components, and it is a bit of an extreme situation."

Fernando Alonso admitted earlier this year that the button situation could be particularly troublesome in grands prix where drivers were not racing in perfect conditions.

"The only difficulty...will be buttons on the steering wheel and a very short time you have to make some decisions, to react to buttons and still drive the car," he said about the 2011 regulation changes. "So in some of the cases in wet races, poor visibility, things like that, we need to check."

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A day of red hot enthusiasm at Fiorano


Maranello, 29 January – Over a thousand people braved the cold and damp this morning to see the Ferrari F150 and the Scuderia’s full complement of drivers from Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa to Bianchi, Fisichella, Bertolini and all the youngsters from the Ferrari Driver Academy. On this second day of acquiring footage of the car’s new livery for advertising purposes, the Fiorano Track opened its gates to a section of the fifteen thousand Scuderia Ferrari Club members. “I would like to thank all of you for having coming all the way here to give us your passionate support,” said Stefano Domenicali as he got the day underway by addressing the crowd. “Last year, on the day we won at Monza, feeling this wave of affection from all of you was a great motivating force as we fought our way back and we hope to give you something back this year with a championship title, something that we missed out on in Abu Dhabi by the smallest of margins. This car is dedicated to celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification because it is part of our makeup to feel pride in representing our country all over the world. Even if we have team-members who come from many different countries, starting with a Spaniard like Fernando and a Brazilian, albeit with Italian origins, like Felipe, we have a strong desire to hold high the national flag which is now seen in all its glory on our car.”

The weather was definitely not at its best, with a bit of sleet in the early hours of the morning making the track damp and temperatures were even lower than yesterday, so that Felipe Massa only did just over sixty kilometres at the wheel of the F150. The car was then loaded onto a truck which headed off to Cheste, near Valencia, where on Tuesday 1st February the development testing will get underway. Giving the newborn car its first ever run up against its rivals will be Fernando Alonso, who will also drive on the following day. On Thursday 3rd it will be Felipe Massa who will bring to a close the first of four pre-season test sessions.