Formula 1

Domenicali: “It is vital for us to react immediately"

Chinese GP

Edited: Apr 14, 2011, 9:33 PM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Chinese GP - Domenicali: “It is vital for us to react immediately”

The first long-haul stint on the F1 calendar concludes this coming Sunday with the eighth running of the Chinese Grand Prix at the vast and modern Shanghai International Circuit. After this, the teams will return to their European bases and have the first real opportunity to assess what has happened so far over three races, given that there will then be a three week break until the team trucks and motorhomes make their seasonal debut in Istanbul.

Ferrari is preparing for Chinese GP

Photo by: xpb.cc

However, development work continues virtually 24-7 and after two less than satisfactory performances in Australia and Malaysia for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, its team principal, Stefano Domenicali, technical director Aldo Costa and his deputy Pat Fry, chose to return to Maranello as soon as the sound of the engines had died in Sepang in order to be involved first hand in speeding up the development process of the 150º Italia.

The difficulties the team face with this year’s car might sound familiar to anyone who followed the Prancing Horse in 2010: a good race pace on Sunday, but difficulties one day before in qualifying. However, to keep a sense of perspective, there have only been two races run so far and, if one removes the clearly faultless Vettel from the equation - the reigning world champion absolutely on top form at the moment - then the Scuderia’s performance looks more respectable.

It is vital for us to react immediately, because we have seen how rapidly things can change in Formula 1

Stefano Domenicali

While the word “if” should maybe not be used in sport, it is also true that if Felipe Massa had not had a problem at his first pit stop in Malaysia and if Fernando’s failed rear wing had not forced him into an error that led to him having to pit for a new nose, then both Maranello men could legitimately claim to be heading for the podium.

“The main problem we need to deal with is our performance the day before the race in qualifying which is not at the same level as the teams that are currently best,” said Domenicali. “It is vital for us to react immediately, because we have seen how rapidly things can change in Formula 1. In terms of strategy we can say our race in Sepang was a good one, because our choices proved to be the right ones and the fact we were unable to bring home more points was down to other causes. So strategy and race performance are two positive factors.” Domenicali was also happy with his two drivers: “Felipe drove to a very high standard, showing a return to form and Fernando was very aggressive, which is always good for a driver” he said.

Stefano Domenicali Ferrari General Director

Photo by: xpb.cc

“Back at the factory we have to have a big push to understand our lack of performance,” said the team principal. “We need to push a lot to upgrade our aero package because aerodynamics is the key to it all. We will try and bring as quickly as possible the upgrades, maybe already in China, that we require. We need to understand as soon as possible why the performance on track has not matched the figures coming out of the wind tunnel. If we have not a clear picture, then we need to change the direction of the work we are doing in terms of development. The other important factor is to keep on increasing our understanding of how to use the tyres, because we saw in Malaysia that this is another area that makes a difference. As for KERS, I cannot talk about it in general, but certainly for us it is a useful aid in terms of boosting car performance. Then, when it comes to the race, it can be used either to attack another driver or to defend your own position. Therefore it is an interesting addition to the sport.”

Our pit stop crew guys are always under pressure, so the chance of making mistakes is higher

Stefano Domenicali

In Melbourne, mainly due to colder conditions than expected, the predicted high number of pit stops did not materialise, but they did in Malaysia, with a total of 59 visits recorded down pit lane, although this includes some drivers pitting with mechanical problems or to take a penalty. Therefore, Domenicali feels that apart from the technical package, team work is another area that needs analysing and improving. “The trend for more tyre changes means our pit stop crew guys are always under pressure, so the chance of making mistakes is higher. If Formula 1 has always been a case of having a package made up of the driver and the team, then that is even more the case now requiring a different approach to the races.”

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro can look to this weekend knowing it is on familiar terms with the Shanghai podium, having won three of the seven races held here: in 2004 with Rubens Barrichello, two years later thanks to Michael Schumacher and in 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen. Of our current drivers, Fernando won in 2005 and Felipe’s best results have been a second and a third place. The country is also commercially significant for the Prancing Horse: “China is an ever more important country for Ferrari, because the market here continues to grow, as does the appreciation of our products,” commented Domenicali. “It is a strategically very important market for us, growing at an incredible rate. All these reasons make this an important event for us this weekend.”

Source: Ferrari

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Ferrari Preview - Massa: "A few new components but nothing major”

Next article Pirelli Preview

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

2026 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix starting grid

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

14 min

2026 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix starting grid

NASCAR Cup Homestead starting lineup: Chase Briscoe snags pole over Hamlin

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Homestead-Miami

20 min

NASCAR Cup Homestead starting lineup: Chase Briscoe snags pole over Hamlin

F1 Brazilian GP: Lando Norris takes pole in soaking wet qualifying

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

29 min

F1 Brazilian GP: Lando Norris takes pole in soaking wet qualifying

Toto Wolff explains the emotional Mercedes factory email leaked online

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

29 min

Toto Wolff explains the emotional Mercedes factory email leaked online

Feature

Discover prime content

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Brazilian GP

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Brazilian GP

How F1’s rules got to be so complex

Formula 1

By Pat Symonds

How F1’s rules got to be so complex

A water park, “not a rock star” and Toto Wolff’s words – Is Kimi Antonelli really a different F1 champion?

Formula 1

By Ronald Vording

A water park, “not a rock star” and Toto Wolff’s words – Is Kimi Antonelli really a different F1 champion?

Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Filip Cleeren

Why Ferrari must act now after its own 'Papaya Rules' moment

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts