Breaking news
Formula 1
Ferrari "evaluating new concepts" for 2019 F1 car
Ferrari has begun "evaluating new concepts" for its Formula 1 car after determining the extent of "different mechanical and aerodynamic settings" required to work Pirelli's 2019 tyres better.
Scott Mitchell
Edited: May 22, 2019, 10:38 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
In the wake of fluctuating car performance and its rival Mercedes sweeping to five consecutive one-two finishes, Ferrari has undertaken detailed analysis of its problems getting the most out of its SF90.
Team principal Mattia Binotto conceded after the Spanish Grand Prix that Ferrari needed to establish if its 2019 car concept was wrong.
Its 2019 car design prioritised managing outwash and improving aerodynamic efficiency while Mercedes opted for a higher-downforce solution.
Ferrari will have some car updates in Monaco but is "already working on evaluating new concepts" at Maranello for the future.
Binotto said that work conducted during last week's post-Spanish GP test, when Ferrari worked through a range of set-up changes, made it clear that the thinner-gauge Pirelli tyres being used in 2019 are proving a major factor.
"Last week's testing in Barcelona and analyses carried out in Maranello confirmed just how much this year's tyres, which are very different to those we had in 2018, require different mechanical and aerodynamic settings to work properly," said Binotto.
"We are already working in Maranello on evaluating new concepts, as well as bringing some initial further updates here."
Read Also:
Ferrari made major changes to its car during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend but it made little difference to its performance, qualifying and finishing well drift of Mercedes.
The team's simulator drivers from 2018, Antonio Giovinazzi and Daniil Kvyat, have been replaced for this season because they have secured race drives at Alfa Romeo and Toro Rosso respectively.
Ferrari’s switch to using Antonio Fuoco, Pascal Wehrlein and Brendon Hartley as development drivers has coincided with the team struggling to make the sort of gains after Friday practice that it made last year.
It will be vital for Ferrari to make a better step from Thursday practice to Saturday qualifying this weekend given the importance of grid position in Monaco.
"It's a very different sort of race, where the track characteristics that can shake up the order could be jumbled up still further this weekend," said Binotto. "As usual, qualifying will be very important because it's almost impossible to overtake."
Ferrari trails Mercedes by 96 points in the constructors' championship and its best-placed driver, Sebastian Vettel, is 48 points adrift of Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' standings.
A meeting took place at Ferrari's Italian headquarters last week, attended by company chairman John Elkann.
As well as backing Binotto, who assumed the team principal role for 2019, it has been suggested that one outcome was a decision for more budget to be committed to the 2019 car.
This is said to be to avoid resource being taken away from the early development of Ferrari's 2020 contender.
Additional reporting by Franco Nugnes
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
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Marko: Loss of "constant companion" Lauda hard to take
Next article Eurocup racer Lorandi secures Renault tie-in
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Ferrari
F1 United States GP: Charles Leclerc completes perfect Friday by topping FP2
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
19 h
F1 United States GP: Charles Leclerc completes perfect Friday by topping FP2
Exploring Ferrari's 'less than a tenth' US GP update package
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
21 h
Exploring Ferrari's 'less than a tenth' US GP update package
Latest news
Lamborghini | Barcelona selected to host the 2027 Super Trofeo World Finals
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
9 min
Lamborghini | Barcelona selected to host the 2027 Super Trofeo World Finals
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - FP3
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
29 min
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - FP3
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Race 1: An unstoppable Lewandowski dominates to win Race 1
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
2 h
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Race 1: An unstoppable Lewandowski dominates to win Race 1
Why Cadillac F1 boss provoked fresh intrigue by dodging driver question
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
4 h
Why Cadillac F1 boss provoked fresh intrigue by dodging driver question
Feature
Discover prime content
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
Subscribe