Breaking news
Formula 1 Russian GP
Ferrari planning "small upgrades" for Russian GP
Ferrari is planning to bring some minor upgrades to the Russian Grand Prix, but the team does not believe they will cure any of the SF1000’s main vices.
Jonathan Noble
Published: Sep 17, 2020, 2:12 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Italian outfit is coming off the back of a disappointing run of races at Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and Mugello where it has struggled for competitiveness.
As well as the team’s lack of engine power being exposed on the straights, its current car is suffering from a lack of aero efficiency, and the setup compromises it is having to make are hurting its tyre wear too.
While its main focus now is on making improvements for 2021, which will include revisions to the engine that it hopes can recover some of the power it has lost over the winter, it has not totally given up on making progress this year.
Team principal Mattia Binotto has revealed that Ferrari plans some updates to its car for the next race in Sochi, although they won’t be game-changers.
“There will be small upgrades, but this will not change the big picture,” he said.
“I think we are at the moment out of pace in the race, and we are somehow wearing too much the tyres. The upgrades will not be the ones that address it.
“I think on our side we need to review the projects, with the view of 2021. I think it will take some more time to do it.”
Read Also:
- Ferrari F1 team is stuck "in a hole" right now, says CEO
- The bust and boom that will start Ferrari's second F1 millennium
While Ferrari’s scale of progress this year has been hampered by the chassis freeze rules that were prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, the team still sense the opportunities available for next year.
There is scope in the rules for it to spend development tokens on a key car change, while Binotto says its 2021 powerunit will be ‘all new’.
In a recent interview with Corriere della Sera, Binotto said about the hopes for next year: “The next single-seater will necessarily be an evolution of this one, because of the limit of the rules.
“But there are opportunities. The engine will be all new, it has been running on the bench for months, and we are counting on it.
“Plus, in these days , there is an important aerodynamic change being voted by the World Council, with modifications especially to the rear. It is a possibility to exploit".
Binotto’s latest remark is in reference to changes being made to the floor rules for next year which are aimed at cutting downforce, to ensure that the current tyres are not exposed to greater forces in 2021.
Additional reporting by Luke Smith
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 Williams to benefit from Dorilton's risk-taking mindset
Next article Red Bull to brief frustrated Verstappen before Russian GP
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Scuderia Ferrari
Charles Leclerc and Pecco Bagnaia: From kings to princes
MotoGP
MotoGP
Charles Leclerc and Pecco Bagnaia: From kings to princes
Sainz blasts "most unfair penalty ever", seeks stewards' explanation
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Sainz blasts "most unfair penalty ever", seeks stewards' explanation
Calado: "Difficult" for WEC Hypercar newcomers "to win straight off"
WEC
WEC
Calado: "Difficult" for WEC Hypercar newcomers "to win straight off"
Latest news
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
2 h
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
2 h
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 2 h
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
Daniel Suarez will return to Spire Motorsports for 2027 NASCAR Cup season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
3 h
Daniel Suarez will return to Spire Motorsports for 2027 NASCAR Cup season
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