Ferrari Considers Switching Focus To 2012
By: Motorsport.com/GMM
The time is nearing when Ferrari might decide to write off the 2011 championship, team boss Stefano Domenicali has admitted.
The 150 Italia car has shown improvements in the past races, but Fernando Alonso is now almost 100 points behind the leading Red Bull with just seven races down.
"Ferrari is at a crucial moment of the season," boss Domenicali admitted to Die Welt newspaper.
"In the next races until after the British grand prix we will decide whether we continue to push for the world title or work already for the next season," he said.
The Italian insisted he is "confident" about Ferrari's progress recently but added: "Also I'm not from the moon.
"Red Bull is a very tough opponent.
"F1 has changed dramatically. Previously, the largest teams could work almost without limits, with no limitations on testing etcetera. For a team like Ferrari, it is more difficult to work under the new conditions.
For a team like Ferrari, it is more difficult to work under the new conditions
"But we have to see that Red Bull has built an outstanding car; so good that in a victory the car is usually listed first as the winner before the driver.
"When we dominated, it was always Michael Schumacher first and then Ferrari. Now it's Red Bull and then Sebastian Vettel," he charged, obviously crediting designer Adrian Newey for the young German's runaway lead.
Domenicali, meanwhile, was left to defend Ferrari's situation, including the recent ousting of technical director Aldo Costa.
"There was no other solution," he insisted. "It was a necessary step to re-motivate the team and show them that there are no excuses, only consequences."
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
“Even faster than Ferrari” – Fernando Alonso grabs Aston Martin’s best result of F1 2026
What the drivers are expecting from F1's return to Sepang
Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is
Charles Leclerc explains why Bahrain GP chaos has reinforced F1 driver fears
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
The slick tyre gamble that hurt McLaren and Ferrari's Bahrain F1 chances
Spire’s Jeff Dickerson about Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit: ‘Where is the proof?’
Charles Leclerc explains why Bahrain GP chaos has reinforced F1 driver fears
Redemption at Road Atlanta: Kevin Estre breaks IMSA victory curse in thrilling Petit Le Mans finish
Winners and losers from an intriguing NASCAR Cup race at Las Vegas
How F1 let a golden opportunity slip at Sepang
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
The wide world of strategy options expected in F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia
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.
Top Comments