Analysis: Ferrari pressure rising in 2014 Formula 1 season

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Ferrari has always faced external pressure to win, but the team is also demanding much more of itself in the 2014 Formula 1 season as top brass tire of underachievement.

After years when the team has failed to back up its bold predictions on-track, there is now a sound basis to Ferrari's claims that things should be better this season.

For beyond simply the all-new 2014 regulations serving to shake up the order, there are internal factors that give its chiefs genuine reasons for optimism.

A RESTRUCTURING

Ferrari's 2013 F1 campaign was, on the face of it, a disappointment, as the team lost its early-season momentum and fell away in the second half of the year.

That performance slump did not tell the story of the huge reorganisation going on back at its Maranello base.

Over the last few years there has been a major ramping up of its simulator and simulation facilities, plus director of engineer Pat Fry has instilled a lot of new working processes.

It is the fruits of that work that technical director James Allison has been at pains to praise, following his arrival from Lotus towards the end of last year.

"I have been very fortunate to arrive at Ferrari in a period where I am inheriting a huge amount of foundation work that Pat has done in the last few years," he said recently.

"He has been building up the tools and infrastructure at Ferrari to make it a team that can make it compete right at the front of the grid."

WINDTUNNEL BOOST

One of Ferrari's main issues in recent years has been its failure to maintain its rate of development during the season.

Part of the cause of that situation has been windtunnel correlation issues, with updates not producing their predicted pace on track.

A major revamp of Ferrari's Maranello windtunnel, which was shut down for a refit but is now back in use, should be a big boost.

Allison also thinks that the change of aero regulations - specifically relating to exhaust positioning - will help improve matters.

"There are two things of the current [2013] generation of the car that are difficult," he said.

"One is to accurately get the shape of the tyres correct in the windtunnel and the other is to accurately predict where the exhaust will go.

"Up and down the grid, there is a greater or lesser success in getting that correlation to work.

"Ferrari hasn't been bad but I know too we could have been better.

"Ferrari has made a titanic investment in the windtunnel and we are fortunate that we are now using the fruits of that upgrade.

"It will work extremely well in the coming years. So I am very happy about that."

TITLE TARGET

Although the new turbo rules leave much uncertainty ahead of next week's Jerez test, Ferrari does at least believe it has done everything in its power to hit the ground running.

"There are opportunities that we need to make sure that we are taking," explained team principal Stefano Domenicali.

"We have improved a lot of our tools and equipment to make sure that we take all the different things in the best way we can.

"We know it will be a tough challenge, but it will be tough for everyone.

"You know my style - to not say a lot of things and to deal with facts. But it is time to show the level of the skill of our people."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112197

[shamim179]

Very bullish outlook from Ferrari. Let's hope it's not all talk.

[FerrariF60]

especially the last little bit from the statement given by Dominecali

..."You know my style - to not say a lot of things and to deal with facts. But it is time to show the level of the skill of our people."

let's hope that this is not the "usual" talk given every year b4 teh start and taht this year we're really gonna show everyone UP AND DOWN THE PITLANE....what FERRARI is all about and that WE REALLY MEAN BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!

[ntukza]

I hope we match up to this talk. But then again, I remind myself not to let it affect me. It's happened too often. I'll wait for the tests rather, and boy I can't wait.

[Kiwi Nick]

With the new wind tunnel and all of the top talent that has moved to Ferrari, 2014 had better be a good year. If not it will be a clear indication that their is a problem caused either by the system or leadership in place in Maranello.

I'm hoping that 2014 is a WCC/WDC year.

[wisepie]

With the new wind tunnel and all of the top talent that has moved to Ferrari, 2014 had better be a good year. If not it will be a clear indication that their is a problem caused either by the system or leadership in place in Maranello.

I'm hoping that 2014 is a WCC/WDC year.

Very nicely put, and I'd be pleased for Domenicali if what he says becomes reality, otherwise he may be treated like Ron seems to be treating Martin Whitmarsh.

[TheFatHippo]

The thing that gives hope is that Rory Byrne worked on the 2014 car. He's the only one, who beat Adrian Newey 7 times over the last 20 years.

[ManFromMilan]

Very good point about Rory Byrne's class as a designer.

And i believe that the whole update and in season development team is also stronger than previous seasons.

[harry harris]

Maybe 2014 should be his last year with the team. If he failed to do so, I see no compromise with Domenicalli. He must stepdown as a TP. Maybe gardening leave is the right thing to him. He should bear this in his mind BIRDS OF A FEATHER, FLOCK TOGETHER...... I HAVE TO DO WHAT OTHERS DO, EVEN IF IT GOES AGAINST MY VALUES IN ORDER TO SURVIVE IN THE ORGANIZATION. So you better be good man !! Forza Ferrari.................. Love you always FERRARI