Ferrari setting 2012 pace in the pits
Apr.18 (GMM) Ferrari does not have a leading car so far in 2012, but when it comes to pitstops, the famous Italian team is setting the pace.
That is the finding of the Spanish sports daily Marca, reporting that Fernando Alonso's 2.4 second pitstop in Shanghai was the fastest of all.
And the report said Ferrari's pitstops were on average six tenths better than those performed by rival top teams Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull in China.
Marca also said Ferrari has managed to speed up its pitstops compared with the 2011 season, despite the FIA's ban on helium-powered air-guns that has cost every team at least two tenths of a second.
"On a grid as tight as this one (in 2012), it is very important to take care of these sorts of details," Fernando Alonso is quoted as saying.
"They can gain you positions and points, which could be decisive at the end of the season."
Ferrari test driver Marc Gene agreed that the only missing element at the Maranello based team at present is a good car.
"On the other hand," he told Diario Sport newspaper, "it is noteworthy that we have done the best pitstops, the strategies have generally been good, and the car is reliable.
"What we lack is the pure speed, both in qualifying and the race," added Gene.
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
Carlos Sainz accuses Fernando Alonso of provoking a penalty "like always"
"F1 cannot continue this way" - Fernando Alonso sounds the alarm at Spanish GP home race
How Fernando Alonso scored ninth at Zandvoort - and how Alex Albon lost a similar payday
Why Ferrari won't switch focus to 2027 F1 car yet
Lewis Hamilton “lucky to make it round” after Spanish GP brake failure
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Hendrick to bring back iconic neon yellow car numbers for 2027
NASCAR changes wet-weather tire policy for Bristol to give teams more control
Max Verstappen beats the 100 in blistering time as it happened
Beyond the silverware: Nick Yelloly reflects on true impact David Salters leaves at HRC USA
F1 doesn't need to change its VSC rules despite Lando Norris' Spain loss
Why Lando Norris doesn’t buy George Russell’s driving style theory
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
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