The new Ferrari

[GP Racer]

Although today's race went horribly wrong for Ferrari, I do see glimmer's of hope with the newest Ferrari, the 2005.

Michael seemed to really have the pace with the new car, especially early on, when he was all over Alonso. It could have been an interesting match-up had he been able to hang in there. Mechanically, the car had some problems, probably because it was rushed into the Bahrain race way earlier than they wanted it to be. But I don't think it will take very long to make it as bullet-proof as all the other Ferrari's have proven.

The big question still seems to be the tires. Once again, the Bridgstones were left looking like slicks, and Rubens barely made it to the end.

So is this new Ferrari enough?

[Kicking-back]

Ferrari knew the tyres and gearbox wouldn't last possibly - so started Michael on relatively low fuel and told him to be hyper aggressive.

That's my theory.

[Knowlesy]

I'd go along with that. And certainly, I'd hope that to be the case, because it would mean the Renault and Ferrari are reasonably evenly matched!

[Hazard]

It's a bucket of bolts...all that money and Renault & Toyota can put together a better car and engine package over the winter than them! No excuses, I think they've become complacent - but I'd be moaning more if they were thrashing everyone still so I'll quit complaining now

[Inigo Montoya]

Originally Posted by Hazard

It's a bucket of bolts...

A bit early to make such judgements, no? We've seen that both BStone and Ferrari can make big strides in a short time. I'll give up on them if they embarass themselves at home in San Marino. Anything less than a podium there, and the Italian media will forget the last 5 years.

[Knowlesy]

A bucket of bolts wouldn't make front row.

[312T4]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Ferrari knew the tyres and gearbox wouldn't last possibly - so started Michael on relatively low fuel and told him to be hyper aggressive.

That's my theory.

The one with very low fuel was Ruben that was left very light and put on with VERY soft Bridgestone.
This was the mistake, the team left RB pushing too much to recover and in the end he paied the choice.
The new Ferrari looks pretty quick, not enough yet, but it is quick.
The worst problems now are the tyres, which are really under-performance in all conditions (apart rain) compared to the Michelin.
MS had another problem, he could have scored a very good result today, even if it was quite sure he would have had to slow down in the last stage of the race to bring the car to the chequered flag.

[Peter Mallett]

Hmm,

This is interesting. This is the first time in a long time that Ferrari has rushed out a new car. I for one don't like the idea that new rules should mitigate against a team but in this case it's quite good fun to see them putting the fixed corporate grin on in front of the cameras, because you just know they're going into the motor home and kicking seven bells out of the company cat!!!!

[Dog Faced Boy]

The New Ferrari will be nothing short of amazing. 40 days short on development yet still made the front row. You can be sure they will only improve from here and reliability will only be a short time in coming. Well said GP Racer.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

because you just know they're going into the motor home and kicking seven bells out of the company cat!!!!

It isn't Rubens fault

[312T4]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

It isn't Rubens fault

Yes, it was a bad team strategy, but due to big tyres problems.

[Knowlesy]

[DannyG]

Ferrari and bridgestone will come good. Hopefully not too soon though, id like to see a fight for the championship. I think they proved today that they have the pace with light fuel and soft tyres

[Dani Filth]

i hope 3 weeks are enough to solve whatever problem they have with the car .. not the tyres .. and anything lower than 2nd in Imola . is a bad result . (well..1st for me )

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

Originally Posted by Dog Faced Boy

The New Ferrari will be nothing short of amazing. 40 days short on development yet still made the front row. You can be sure they will only improve from here and reliability will only be a short time in coming. Well said GP Racer.

I don't think anyone doubts they can improve, but they have to catch Renault and pass them in terms of speed. Renault and Toyota can concentrate on their set development programs whereas the pressure is now on Ferrari to make up the difference quickly.

[joe rossi]

It's like an Alfa..looks great, goes fast and breaks down after a few miles!!

[ralf fan]

In terms of pace i think they are about 4-5 tenths slower than Renault ATM but are probably level with Toyota. This 3 week break has come at the right time as far as Ferrari are concerned.

If you look at Rubens he had some very good pace in the early laps and was also carrying the most fuel so it isnt all doom and gloom.

I expect them to go back to Italy and get the reliability issues sorted by Imola... If they dont then MS has an up hill task because the Renaults are super quick and super reliable.

[GP Racer]

I think the race pace of the new car, and Michael's ability is good enough to get wins, but the tires are still a worry.

I thought that the new car was supposed to be easier on the tires, but seeing the shape of the tires on Michaels car when he retired after only 20 or so laps was seriously troubling. Also troubling was Rubens limping home on slicks. I'd be surprised if they could pass the post race inspection. Hopefully the cooler climates of at the European races will help the situation.

Imola will be a huge test for the whole team. They havn't seen pressure like this before, so it will be interesting to see how they respond...

[Hugh Jarce]

Simply not good enough!

All that money, expertise and private testing and at the minute they have got an under-developed dog!

Someone has taken too much for granted and with the way Renault are moving the championship could be over before they sort the issues.

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jarce

Simply not good enough!

All that money, expertise and private testing and at the minute they have got an under-developed dog!

Er, that's because it was racing a month before they planned it to...

[Hugh Jarce]

So their planning was clearly naff.

However you present it, they have been caught hopping by other teams and have not been able to implement a competitive car when others have.

Look at Toyota - all credit to them - they were one of the first to release a true 2005 spec car and seem to have benefitted.

Ferrari are scrabbling and it's highly unlike their style. Testing on race days is not the way to introduce a car. They know that but have absolutely no other options.

If the roles were reversed and this was another team and Ferrari had lots of points on the board - I wonder what the smug levels would be like?

[Dog Faced Boy]

And they'll do just that Silk Cut.
Not that I want them to, but they will.

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jarce

If the roles were reversed and this was another team and Ferrari had lots of points on the board - I wonder what the smug levels would be like?

Well, a lot of Ferrari fans ridiculed McLaren during the MP4/18 debacle, so it shows that what goes around comes around.

[Hugh Jarce]

KB - that's true.

I just think we have had a seismic change in F1 and we need to recognise that and also not tolerate tame excuses about delayed car relaese dates.

Racing starts from day one of the season and Ferrari have not been ready and are not ready and race four is looming.

End of story.

[Alex Hodgkinson]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

A bit early to make such judgements, no? We've seen that both BStone and Ferrari can make big strides in a short time. I'll give up on them if they embarass themselves at home in San Marino. Anything less than a podium there, and the Italian media will forget the last 5 years.

Toyota for one have a bigger budget than Ferrari.