Bahrain testing 27 Feb-2 Mar

[hrc5555]

So, are you saying that if Ferrari had blown an engine that you'd be happy then? Because that's what you're implying and it makes no sense at all. Surely then you'd be crying "what's the point of being fast if the engine explodes". Unless we topped every test, without a single hitch, I don't think you'd be satisfied. Do you? What would have satisfied you and given you confidence for the season ahead?

It make sense to go to the limit and see at what mileage the engine will blow up. Mercedes did it with all customer teams. But I suppose it would not mean much to us because we did not run the engine at full power so it would not blow at same mileage as if we did run at full power and plus that it would cost us much time. So I think we didnt do it because of this two reasons... IMHO

[Black Adder]

Do not write a lot...here just a summary of what i've read on italian newspapers and heard on tv about Ferrari. That's a pity cause are just bad news.

- we have problems with rear tyre degradation
- engine too aggressive and too much torque
- we have problems running batteries at full power and we run during tests without full power (not cause we wanted to but cause we weren't able to do so)
- we lack in traction in slow corners and downforce in high speed corners
- we must run low downforce due to fuel consumption.
- Our engine has higher consumption and we are forced to run low downforce to reduce drag. In fact we recorded top speed but we are slow in cornering.
- Overall rumors agree we are far behind mercedes (more than 1s)
- Domenical in tv said we are behind mercedes and williams.. and not by a small margin. Focus is already on catching the competition.

just reporting guys, not my opinion

Let's hope our pilots will do a better job than the engineers!!!

[zike]

so its official now.....we are bad in almost every segment

[mirafiori]

So, are you saying that if Ferrari had blown an engine that you'd be happy then? Because that's what you're implying and it makes no sense at all. Surely then you'd be crying "what's the point of being fast if the engine explodes". Unless we topped every test, without a single hitch, I don't think you'd be satisfied. Do you? What would have satisfied you and given you confidence for the season ahead?

Exactly, Rosso Corsa well said.

[Kiwi Nick]

If this is true than we have the most powerful engine and bad fuel consumption.

Actually, I think it means that because Ferrari are not able to harvest and/or store all the energy form the MGU (either H or K), Ferrari must rely more on the ICE for power. Therefore, they need to find ways (like reducing drag) to conserve the ICE's limited energy supply (100kg of fuel). This is why Ferrari are said to be down 50-75hp. I think the problem manifests itself in Ferrari not being able to use ERS (electrical power) for as long a period as is permitted by the regs or they are able to use it for the full period of time but at a reduced level. Once they figure that out, the F14-T should be challenging the Merc and Williams.

It also makes me think that I would not want to be Macca or Force India. They have the best PU and are behind Ferrari who are restricted in their use of ERS power.

[Rosso Corsa]

It make sense to go to the limit and see at what mileage the engine will blow up. Mercedes did it with all customer teams. But I suppose it would not mean much to us because we did not run the engine at full power so it would not blow at same mileage as if we did run at full power and plus that it would cost us much time. So I think we didnt do it because of this two reasons... IMHO

I don't think any team deliberately ran an engine until it blew up in testing. Ferrari and Mercedes can do that on the bench/dyno all day long, quite accurately, without losing any track time. It seems Renault are some way off simulating everything (heat, energy etc...) on the bench. Basically, I think the Ferrari engine didn't blow in the Ferrari because it's a good engine and Ferrari are using it well.

In the end, people are just upset that we didn't post the fastest times. That's fair enough. Tedious to read from 'supporters' every day, but fine.

[DIEK]

[hrc5555]

Actually, I think it means that because Ferrari are not able to harvest and/or store all the energy form the MGU (either H or K), Ferrari must rely more on the ICE for power. Therefore, they need to find ways (like reducing drag) to conserve the ICE's limited energy supply (100kg of fuel). This is why Ferrari are said to be down 50-75hp. I think the problem manifests itself in Ferrari not being able to use ERS (electrical power) for as long a period as is permitted by the regs or they are able to use it for the full period of time but at a reduced level. Once they figure that out, the F14-T should be challenging the Merc and Williams.

It also makes me think that I would not want to be Macca or Force India. They have the best PU and are behind Ferrari who are restricted in their use of ERS power.

I just hope they will sort it out before first race or at least second.

[wisepie]

I don't agree here as you have to look at what the target is. It is about getting air under the front nose along the side pods and to the diffuser. Having steep dropping nose actually promotes the flow of air around instead of over the nose. As the air flows around the nose it then cascades under it which is the intention all along.

I guess you're more technically-minded than me, Ferris, so I accept your explanation, thanks! I'm still concerned about our traction and the fact that we don't seem able to make the car stable AND quick in the corners, running lower downforce to help fuel economy surely means the aero is compromised? Kiwi Nick probably has the answer though!

[f1tomi8]

yes "our higher speed is the signal that we are forced to run lower downforce to reduce drag and save fuel. this means that competitors (ie mercedes) have probably better fuel consumption and could run higher downforce and be faster in cornering"

Thanks mate! :)

[hrc5555]

I don't think any team deliberately ran an engine until it blew up in testing. Ferrari and Mercedes can do that on the bench/dyno all day long, quite accurately, without losing any track time. It seems Renault are some way off simulating everything (heat, energy etc...) on the bench. Basically, I think the Ferrari engine didn't blow in the Ferrari because it's a good engine and Ferrari are using it well.

In the end, people are just upset that we didn't post the fastest times. That's fair enough. Tedious to read from 'supporters' every day, but fine.

Agree with you, people are too upset over negative speculations. I think we need to wait for Ferrari to sort out fundamental problems and than judge if we have good or bad car. Season is long and even Rb and Lotus who have much more and bigger problems than us are still in the game for championship.

[Senna4Ever]

Gros: I just gave you a simple task: "order me a Margherita Pizza for lunch break"
Engineer: I don' t know where the guy is
Gros: What 'I don't know, I don't know' ... You always don't know, what to hell is do difficult to order a pizza ... *bam*

[Kyss4k]

Do not write a lot...here just a summary of what i've read on italian newspapers and heard on tv about Ferrari. That's a pity cause are just bad news.

- we have problems with rear tyre degradation
- engine too aggressive and too much torque
- we have problems running batteries at full power and we run during tests without full power (not cause we wanted to but cause we weren't able to do so)
- we lack in traction in slow corners and downforce in high speed corners
- we must run low downforce due to fuel consumption.
- Our engine has higher consumption and we are forced to run low downforce to reduce drag. In fact we recorded top speed but we are slow in cornering.
- Overall rumors agree we are far behind mercedes (more than 1s)
- Domenical in tv said we are behind mercedes and williams.. and not by a small margin. Focus is already on catching the competition.

just reporting guys, not my opinion

If true, we can pack it up and go home... Thirsty engine? Garbage aero, which we have to worsen even more to be able to finish races because garbage engine? WTH NO!!! This is not true... it can't be! Come on Ferrari, show us you still got it.

[Kiwi Nick]

Few things are funnier than an angry Frenchman!

[mirafiori]

Gros: I just gave you a simple task: "order me a Margherita Pizza for lunch break"
Engineer: I don' t know where the guy is
Gros: What 'I don't know, I don't know' ... You always don't know, what to hell is do difficult to order a pizza ... *bam*

I love your Humor Senna4Ever.

[Winter]

2013

2014

The same old pre-season talk from them...like copy/paste LOL. I won't believe that they're in any serious trouble before I see it with my own eyes in the first race.

Some serious sandbagging I say..

I can't see their troubles be over at Australia, but at some point of the season they will be at the top again.

[f300v10]

I for one am not buying the 'Ferrari is running low downforce to improve fuel mileage' talk. The primary changeable way to lessen drag on an F1 car is to run a smaller rear wing. This is seen every year at Monza, Spa and Canada.

At all 3 tests, Ferrari has run the maximum rear wing allowed under the 2014 regs, as have all the teams. Just compare the depth of the rear wing in all the photos, this is not a low downforce rear wing setup. The Ferrari chassis may well be lacking downforce compared to the Mercedes, but I don't believe Ferrari have done that on purpose.

[peta_w]

What is wrong with some of you people here?
Get rid of Stephano, Luca is moaner, Car is no good, no downforce. And all before there has been one race. A pity such pathetic supporters gets mixed with real Tifosi.

[shamim179]

I'm not sure what to believe. There are so many mixed reports and rumours out there about our capability. Let me highlight a few:

1. We've heard reports that the engine is thirsty. But then we hear contrary reports that efficiency is key suggesting we have an efficient engine.

2. The fastest time set by Alonso on the last day of testing was with SS or S? It is still unclear.

3. Our ERS not running at full capacity due to overheating? Have we rectified this or not or is there another problem(s) that are preventing us running the ERS at full?

4. Our race simulation had consistent lap times suggesting our car is good on the tyres. But there are reports suggesting the contrary.

5. Our car has clocked the highest speed on a straight. But there are reports saying that speed is inaccurate because of a telemetry/transponder problem?

I'm thinking at least some of this has been fabricated to confuse the media and the competition. It's just too divided so some versions must be false and likewise some must be true.

[Greig]

What is wrong with some of you people here?
Get rid of Stephano, Luca is moaner, Car is no good, no downforce. And all before there has been one race. A pity such pathetic supporters gets mixed with real Tifosi.

Easier to stick your head in the sand and pretend everything is ok I guess.

[ferrari4life]

So, are you saying that if Ferrari had blown an engine that you'd be happy then? Because that's what you're implying and it makes no sense at all. Surely then you'd be crying "what's the point of being fast if the engine explodes". Unless we topped every test, without a single hitch, I don't think you'd be satisfied. Do you? What would have satisfied you and given you confidence for the season ahead?

So what is your explanation as to why we did not run with full power? We are holding it back cause we are afraid we are too fast?

[Rosso Corsa]

So what is your explanation as to why we did not run with full power? We are holding it back cause we are afraid we are too fast?

I didn't know we were running without full power. Is that rumour or have Ferrari confirmed it? Genuine question.

[ferrari4life]

Next time before you start debating someones post try to figure out the context of it.

Stefano Domenicali confirms to Sky Italia that Ferrari were not running full power in Bahrain during testing (via @komivesP)

I didn't know we were running without full power. Is that rumour or have Ferrari confirmed it? Genuine question.

[LF1Torsion]

So, are you saying that if Ferrari had blown an engine that you'd be happy then? Because that's what you're implying and it makes no sense at all. Surely then you'd be crying "what's the point of being fast if the engine explodes". Unless we topped every test, without a single hitch, I don't think you'd be satisfied. Do you? What would have satisfied you and given you confidence for the season ahead?

I might be wrong, but I don't think this is what ferrari4life meant.

I think the point is, since we didn't run the power unit at maximum power (for whatever reason), we have less information going in to the season as to what the limit of the unit is. So for example, this might mean that during qualifying we don't really push it to the absolute limit, since we are not sure what that is, or on the other hand we might push it too much and have an issue.

Having said this, if the reason for not pushing is due to not being able to do so, rather than by choice (i.e. not to reveal our true pace) then there is no point arguing this at all, since the team had no choice in the matter.

[ferrari4life]

Well that reply is very intelligent, I am surprised you can get a signal in a cave.

you might not be familiar with modern technology..

[Rosso Corsa]

Next time before you start debating someones post try to figure out the context of it.

Wow. Sanctimonious much? I understood the context perfectly. You presented something technical I didn't know, but it doesn't change the context of the original post or my reply.

[Senna4Ever]

I love your Humor Senna4Ever.

... thank you
Glad some here do ... Life's serious enough ...

[blaney1977]

Anybody got auto sport subscription too read what Gary Anderson says about testing, james Allen's site with help from mark gillan says merc out front with Williams ferrari closely matched then a gap back too force India mclaren just wonder if Anderson says the same

[f1tomi8]

Autosprint reports different reference points were used by Ferrari to record lap times & they could be faster. Hope this is true!

[bonzo]

Do not write a lot...here just a summary of what i've read on italian newspapers and heard on tv about Ferrari. That's a pity cause are just bad news.

- we have problems with rear tyre degradation
- engine too aggressive and too much torque
- we have problems running batteries at full power and we run during tests without full power (not cause we wanted to but cause we weren't able to do so)
- we lack in traction in slow corners and downforce in high speed corners
- we must run low downforce due to fuel consumption.
- Our engine has higher consumption and we are forced to run low downforce to reduce drag. In fact we recorded top speed but we are slow in cornering.
- Overall rumors agree we are far behind mercedes (more than 1s)
- Domenical in tv said we are behind mercedes and williams.. and not by a small margin. Focus is already on catching the competition.

just reporting guys, not my opinion

If above is true, the focus should be to design a new car!!