Ferrari working to recover performance deficit
Ferrari are working hard to recover the ground they lost to their rivals in 2009 under the new aerodynamic regulations
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Wednesday, 13, Jan 2010 03:01
By Adam Leveridge
Stefano Domenicali has said Ferrari are working hard to recover the performance deficit they had to their rivals in 2009.
The Italian team had a tough time of it last year when, like their 2008 title adversary McLaren, they lost their way with the radically revised 2009 aerodynamic regulations.
Both McLaren and Ferrari found pace as the year progressed and new upgrade packages appeared on their cars. However, the Maranello squad decided to scrap their 2009 programme mid-way through the season to get a head start in developing their 2010 contender over their rival teams.
"We are working quite hard to recover the performance gap that we had last year and, for sure, the numbers are quite interesting," said Domenicali.
"But, as always, we need to wait and see what the situation is.
"I don't expect to verify at the beginning of testing in Spain, but we will know where the car will be before the start of the season.
"It's important to keep the concentration because this season will be very long and, unfortunately, one important element that wasn't very good in the years where we won titles was the reliability of our car during the first grands prix.
"We have worked hard in order to improve that and I am expecting to see results."
Looking ahead to the 2010 season and the return of Michael Schumacher, who secured five of his seven world championship titles with the scarlet team, Domenicali said Ferrari will now regard the 40-year-old as a competitor.
"Of course, from a personal point of view it was a bit sad because Michael was part of our family," said Domenicali.
"But he has a fantastic period with us, we can't forget that and now we need to see him as a competitor.
"We know he is very, very strong. He's a great driver and a good person, so that is another reason for the team to be motivated and to know that Ferrari is the strongest team in the world."
But as Schumacher cuts his ties with Ferrari, another world champion arrives at the team in the form of Fernando Alonso who will be partnered by Brazilian Felipe Massa.
Since Alonso's signing was announced at the end of last summer, people have raised concerns over the Spaniard's ability to work alongside another competitive driver, having had preferential treatment while with Renault.
However, Domenicali says he is not worried and that the main focus is bringing success back to Ferrari.
"They are great drivers, very talented and, for different reasons, they want to prove how strong they are to themselves and to everyone else," said Domenicali.
"The most important thing is our team is number one. The drivers will fight amongst each other, but whoever is faster will be in front and the team is the most important thing for everyone."
Domenicali also confirmed that Ferrari's 2010 contender will be released on January 28th at their Maranello headquarters.
He also confirmed that Valentino Rossi has been awarded another opportunity to drive a Ferrari F1 car in Barcelona on January 20th and 21st for winning the 2009 Moto GP championship, the ninth world title of his career.
Rossi previously tested for Ferrari in 2008 after winning that year's Moto GP championship and completed a succession of tests in 2006 when considering a switch to F1.