RRA reason for ferrari pace?

[giodap]

I was wandering why ferrari have suddenly shown good pace this season? Since leaving the RRA (resource restriction agreement) we have gone and hired a load of new engineers and we have developed last years car into a current race winning one. Are we just doing a good job or has leaving the RRA given ferrari the power to spend what they want, where they want?

I think both are to blame

What are your thoughts?

[Nero Horse]

I believe there are two main reasons behind our good pace, 1st reason is like you mentioned that we have hired new genius aerodynamicists like Loic Bigois and Martin Bester, and the 2nd reason is that since the rules didn't change much for this season we have been able to improve and perfect our car which is basically an evolution of the last year's car.

[Kyss4k]

I believe there are two main reasons behind our good pace, 1st reason is like you mentioned that we have hired new genius aerodynamicists like Loic Bigois and Martin Bester, and the 2nd reason is that since the rules didn't change much for this season we have been able to improve and perfect our car which is basically an evolution of the last year's car.

I would add third and probably the biggest reason... working wind tunnel.

[Massimo]

My bet would be on the change of windtunnel, extra input from new engineers and Hirohide Hamashima, who Ferrari signed at the beginning of last year, a former Bridgestone Motorsport boss, with one goal only, and that is to improve the interaction of the Ferrari car and the tyres, he could prove to be more valuable than Adrian Newey

[Nero Horse]

I would add third and probably the biggest reason... working wind tunnel.

Yes, of course that too, no doubt.

It slipped my mind there for a second. A properly working wind tunnel is of course absolutely essential.

[Tobes]

My bet would be on the change of windtunnel, extra input from new engineers and Hirohide Hamashima, who Ferrari signed at the beginning of last year, a former Bridgestone Motorsport boss, with one goal only, and that is to improve the interaction of the Ferrari car and the tyres, he could prove to be more valuable than Adrian Newey

Think the biggest if not sole reason for the performance gains are due to the correct and consistent correlation of data from a correctly working wind tunnel to the track, there is no doubt that Mr Hamashima will be a huge benefit to the team, I just question whether a few ex-designers (Aldo for one) could have got the job done as well in the current situation with all the wind tunnel work being done in Cologne..?

[Tifoso]

Now, by wind tunnel you don't mean Bernie, right?

[REDARMYSOJA]

Now, by wind tunnel you don't mean Bernie, right?

That wind tunnel hasn't changed.

[wacc]

The relative pace to other teams hasn't changed big time. Look at Mercedes and Lotus. On the other hand McLaren has had problems with their revolutionary car and RedBull lost their DDRS and they struggle with the tyres.

[abbottcostello]

I had not heard any of this about Ferrari leaving the RRA, didn't even know they had a choice in that? Nor did I hear of the personnel additions until this post, so it makes me happy to be hearing about them now! I guess with my limited knowledge that I'd have to agree - both.

I would say we have advanced our car enough to keep abreast of the competition. We seem to be ahead ever so slightly where it really matters... in relation to the pace of the competition. In my opinion, we seemed to have OK race pace last season from Chinese GP onwards, with Fernando challenging for the podium in almost every venue that he wasn't crashed out of. The reality of course was that the victories we managed seemed to be very tenuous in nature, sort of "hanging on by the skin of our teeth". This last race, we got the points with Fernando able to pull away from the field. I hope we continue to compete for better quali position this year, that could be key to avoiding being in the middle of the fray on starts (which is obviously a rather unhealthy place to be).
The teams recent focus has been on the one lap pace, IF they can get some lasting gains there & Mr. Hamashima can sort out Felipe's graining issues, this could be a most enjoyable season for the Scuderia Ferrari & those of us cheering them on.

[tohellandback]

[Giambattista]

There is a one small but crucial change of rules in terms of using DRS on Fridays and Saturdays this season. Let's not forget that! I think it also helped our team a little bit as we don't have to worry about the problems of immediate recovering of downforce on the rear after closing a wing anymore (like it was in F2012 car)