The bad news for the Scuderia: The trend speaks against the Italians. Leclerc was overtaken both in the Imola sprint and on the Miami track by Verstappen. The good news: While Red Bull has continuously improved its car since the start of the season, Ferrari will only screw the first major update to the car in Barcelona.
“It’s up to us to step on the gas,” says team boss Binotto. “In Barcelona we will have an upgrade. It is very important that it works.” The shot has to be right, because otherwise it would eat up the budget unnecessarily. And that is no longer infinitely available in times of a budget cap.
The retread of the F1-75 is said to be based on a new underbody that should reduce bouncing on the straights. In addition, the Scuderia is said to have given the red goddess a rear wing that generates more downforce. The sidepods are to be slightly adapted, while maintaining their basic, wide shape. Finally, new brake ventilation are expected.
Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto
According to Italian media reports, the whole thing should take around three to four tenths of a second per lap. In addition, there is a new drive unit in both cars, which was allowed to be modified for reasons of reliability.
Ferrari race director Binotto: “We don’t have the money to present an upgrade every weekend. Our development is geared towards bringing new parts at the right time.”
According to FIA speculation, Ferrari wants to present a dossier listing the estimated development expenses since the start of the season so that Red Bull cannot continue to shoot at full steam.
In any case, for Binotto it is clear: “They cannot continue like this. At some point they will have to stop development.” The Ferrari capo holds the FIA accountable: “I trust the FIA completely. But I think we need more effort to control the budget limit and I also think that the FIA needs to increase the staff for that because it will be a key element.”
Just like Ferrari’s upgrade package in Barcelona…
