Ferrari's F2001(merged)

[av8rirl]

The Ferrari seems to be the DBs. And none of the young lads mad fools of themselves.

[Valve Bounce]

So much for all the cock and bull about Ferrari's using last year's car. I would not be durprised if MSch gets the car on the front row of the grid, as I had predicted.

[BBKing]

The times they set are far from what was the best time last year. The second practice should be more indicative of what to expect. All the other teams are actually trying to find the right setup.

[Gt_R]

I agree with BBK here...Remember last year, we often see Williams way back in practice and DC up front...but when it comes to quals, it becomes the other way around.

Teams are still fiddling with their new car, learning how to set it up to the best, while Ferrari are able to get the set up ready quicker due to their experience with the old car.

[kuchi]

I second your opinion Gt_R, this is the first season and some teams have radical changes in their 2002 cars, which means they will have to use all the time they have to find out the best set up.

[mjstallard]

Shrewdness from Ferrari that I hadn't seen before (d'oh!).
I wonder how long it will take for teams to maximise their packages - for example, McLaren last year took a couple of races to get to grips with the car (admitadly, it was a dog, but anyway... ).

[Valve Bounce]

It is interesting that teh First practice time of MSch's Ferrari F2001 is within half a second of last year's pole. I am wondering what that Ferrari will post during quals.

[Gt_R]

I would be very surprised if less than half the grid post Q times that is lower than last year's pole set by Michael.

[enemy-ace]

In Australia last year there were a lot of unknowns. With only minor changes in the technical side for this year, and with the tyre war in it's second year watch for a new lap record.

[Glen]

I'm very surprised by Toyota - can hardly wait for tonight's qualifying session to make some sense of all this. Even if Toyota were trying to make an impression by running low fuel, their straight line speed is just amazing.

[paulzinho]

Ferrari look to be in great shape, hopefully a repeat in qualifying and the race!!!

[Number Juan]

i think perhaps that ferrari are lying a bit and they are using their 02' car, i mean yeah you notice the difference on the outside but what if they are using the under skin progress? thats wot i think i think its just a PR stunt

[Mr V]

ferrari are not actually using last years car, they are using an in between of last years and this years (new) car!! so it's like they are gonna totally blow away the opposition when they bring out their totally new car!! (although i have to say it looks ominous!!) but how many times have we seen a team totally dominate in the first 3 races, everyone thinks it's all over, then that team loses ground and the main competitor takes it to the final race of the season!

[Gt_R]

Mrv, you just reminded me of '98!

But yepp..there are quite some various speculations regarding what the exact thing Ferrari is using in Melbourne.

But the most widely believed is that the new F2001 uses a body shell based on last year's body, slightly modified for aero improvments and safety regs. Under the skin, it uses last year's Suzuka spec 050, with some engine components renewed and using 051 parts where possible, and tuned to increase power and improve release/consumption. Badoer was doing some electronic testing in Fiorano on yesterday (Friday) that is to be used by Ferrari in Melbourne Quals on Saturday.

However, remembering that last year's Ferrari was reaching its peak of developement, there is only so that can be done. Where the F2001 will stand relative to others would give us a good idea where the F2002 would be.

It's looking good...Mclaren better watch their a$$es

[Total-F1]

I still think Ferrari are lying about the reliability probs with the F2002. Schumacher being "99%" sure and all...

Still, we shall wait and see what happens with the FIA over their new gearbox...