Ferrari: the point on the refoundation

The Chinese race raised morale at Ferrari after the disastrous start to the season which culminated with the desolate Bahrain Grand Prix held two weeks earlier in which the reds were literally stripped of their paint on the straights by the Mercedes-powered cars. The Chinese track, which features a 1,2 kilometer long straight, did not leave much hope for Ferrari fans, who expected to once again see a Ferrari at the mercy of the higher top speeds of the other cars, even if it were a Marussia. Instead, the surprise came from the prancing horse team who, thanks to a solid Fernando Alonso, managed to conquer the lowest step of the podium, while a still struggling Kimi Raikkonen placed himself in eighth position. A result like this confirms the fact that in Formula 1 things can change from one race to another and that few things are certain. How was such a breakthrough possible?

Stefano Domenicali's resignation has certainly given a shock to the environment, having said that, unfortunately (or fortunately) in Formula 1, tenths on the track cannot be recovered from one moment to the next if the directors of sports management resign or are kicked out. Ferrari has in fact made some updates on the F14-T which (for once) have worked: a reversal of trend compared to what happened until last season when Fernando Alonso complained about the few and never incisive updates that the team brought on Fridays free tests. In fact, it seems that the main causes of Ferrari's return can be found in two changes: a major software update of the power unit and the change in the petrol mixture. These two changes together have allowed the F14-T to deliver power faster than it has managed so far with the result that the F14-T no longer suffers an abysmal performance gap on straights like the one seen in Bahrain. Let's be clear, Mercedes still remains distant, but there has been improvement.
The modification of the petrol by the supplier Shell is very important because through a more fluid mixture it is possible to make better use of the power unit. Helmut Marko, the gray eminence of the Red Bull team, declared that when the Austrian team also manages to achieve this goal together with its partner Total, the Austrian car will be 2-3 tenths faster with the aim of returning in front of the reds . We will see.

What is certain is that a re-foundation within the team has begun at Ferrari. How big we will discover over time, but Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has given the OK to an internal reorganization through: shortening bureaucratic procedures, reducing consultants, cutting decision-making times and targeted hiring of new staff (as we have made known to you in this our other article). It is very likely that Domenicali's head was not the first and last to be blown off but that in addition to his, others will blow off subsequently, time will tell.

For this season, catching up to Mercedes is practically impossible, also certified by Pat Fry's declarations according to which Ferrari must aim to be the second force in the world championship. The advantage of the German team, more than in the power unit itself, lies in having designed the chassis according to the engine package and vice versa. A solution that stunned all the opponents who only discovered it in the last pre-season tests: there was no time limit to implement it on their single-seaters given the current regulation which keeps the power units "frozen" for the entire course of the season. This means that unless there are sensational twists, Fernando Alonso will remain empty this year too, boasting a list of 5 world championships played with the red team and zero titles. A very heavy budget for an ambitious driver such as the Spaniard who, precisely in the delicate moment in which the team finds itself facing a (mini) re-foundation, could change his team at the end of the season to join the Honda-powered McLaren. Fernando himself, thanks to his immense talent, kept hidden the major internal problems that the team has had for years, making up for them with phenomenal on-track performances which perhaps led to a delay in the internal renewal of Ferrari. Not that it's his fault, mind you, but if at the end of the season the Spaniard wants to change teams no one can blame him.

On the other side of the garage it is impressive to see Kimi Raikkonen in such difficulty. A couple of doubts arise spontaneously: was Ferrari right to rely on Kimi? Was Felipe Massa really a finished driver, or is Fernando Alonso making a big difference in Ferrari, also given the gaps he inflicts on his Finnish teammate? Only time will tell the truth, in any case Ferrari needs Kimi's points as much as Fernando's.

The next race in less than two weeks will be very important because the European season begins: in Barcelona the teams will bring updates for their single-seaters and we will see if the small advantage shown by Ferrari over the others will be filled or even widened. What is unlikely to change will be two silver arrows in front.

Davide Gambardella