The Ferrari thread !

[steveaki13]

Ok Bag's here we are at the precipice. I'm not sure what to make of Ferrari's challenge this season. From what I've read they are to start off a little on the back foot with improvement coming forth with. I’ve sure heard that tune before.(pizza delivery boys ) I guess it's a good thing that they have two of the best pilots in the field, because I'm thinking they are going to need every bit of their talent
What do ya''awl boys think?
Oh yeah, may the forza be with them!

Well they will both retire with gearbox problems wont they.....

Seriously though I think the whole season should be close between the two. I reckon Raikkonen might finish ahead of Alonso this weekend.

[airshifter]

Ok Bag's here we are at the precipice. I'm not sure what to make of Ferrari's challenge this season. From what I've read they are to start off a little on the back foot with improvement coming forth with. I’ve sure heard that tune before.(pizza delivery boys ) I guess it's a good thing that they have two of the best pilots in the field, because I'm thinking they are going to need every bit of their talent
What do ya''awl boys think?
Oh yeah, may the forza be with them!

IMO for a number of years now Ferrari have not been all that strong at the season start. BUT they improve through the season, and they are good enough to consistently get in the mix of things. With two very good drivers their chances of remaining near the top of the pack seem strong, but really until we see what the cars are doing it's all a big guess.

The dynamic between the drivers will be interesting. I don't think Kimi would be all that bothered if Fred has the upper hand in points, but I'm not sure I can say the same if the situation is reversed. Those calling for fireworks could be correct.

[jens]

I'm not sure what to make of Ferrari's challenge this season.

I make of their situation that it is going to be their usual "challenge" like we have seen for years already. Their weakness is outright speed, so they struggle to win many races on pure pace. But they have enough speed and consistency to bag podiums and regular points. Also reliability to capitalize on any mishap of other top teams (Merc, RBR).

The story of Ferrari ever since 2009. The team of nearly-men.

[Tazio]

I'm not sure what to make of Ferrari's challenge this season.

I make of their situation that it is going to be their usual "challenge" like we have seen for years already. Their weakness is outright speed, so they struggle to win many races on pure pace. But they have enough speed and consistency to bag podiums and regular points. Also reliability to capitalize on any mishap of other top teams (Merc, RBR).

The story of Ferrari ever since 2009. The team of nearly-men.

Very good observation Jens, history definitely backs up your assertion. Actually I'm surprised that their pace in FP1&2 was as good as it was on low fuel. Their long run pace was not very impressive at all though.
On a separate note it appears that SD is already concerned about Kimi's pace relative to Fred:

Ferrari says that sorting out the problems that are stopping Kimi Raikkonen getting the best out of his Formula 1 car is a priority.

Raikkonen had a difficult first day of practice in Australia on Friday, ending the second session eight tenths of a second behind team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said the team needed to move swiftly to help Raikkonen.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112917

[Tazio]

About Kimi's gear selection issue that left him stuck at the end of pit lane:

"I couldn't get first gear ummm so"

Engineer

"ok hold on...nope switch off"

Raikkonen:

"Ok do you guys think you can come down and pick me up?"

That guy is such a cut up.

[Tazio]

Fred flapping his lips

Alonso said he thinks the Mercedes and McLaren cars qualified higher than him on Saturday because they are better for the moment, but he is not sure about Red Bull, whose Daniel Ricciardo will start Sunday’s race from second place.

“Red Bull did not finish any race simulations in pre-season testing,” he said, “so I think we should finish ahead of them.”

More broadly, Alonso said it is clear that in his fifth consecutive campaign with Ferrari, he wants to finally win the title in 2014.

“I have been often the championship runner-up and nobody wants that,” he told Germany’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

“But on the other hand, I have had the best four years of my life.

“My personal performance has never been so good, sometimes perfect and against very strong opponents. That gives me the same satisfaction as if I had won the world title.”

[jens]

Not much to speak of there? During winter testing there was a lot of talk about Renault struggles, but to be honest now I feel it could be Ferrari's PU, which is left behind others. Because Red Bull and STR both showed promise, yet among Ferrari customers...

Marussia was struggling with problems and didn't show superiority over Caterham, which they seemed to have in winter;
Sauber was just absolutely (below) average, well behind everyone except the two backmarkers (Mar / Cat) and the almost undrivable Lotus. However, I believe Lotus has more potential to unlock over the full season, also in co-operation with Renault.
And then Ferrari, also very average.

Ferrari hoped that the new regulations could propel them to the front by ending Red Bull's superiority. However, to get to the front you must first and foremost maximize the potential of any new factor, which comes into play. The turbo engines have come into play, but it looks like this factor has pushed Ferrari further down the order rather than upwards.

[steveaki13]

Could be right Jens. Sauber were dreadful today, I mean one of them spun on lap 1 but they made it up during the SC, and yet were still lapped.

[Mia 01]

If not for the teams so for the drivers sake, Ferrari have to make progress soon.

Even in 2009 Kimi was able to win his race. This year a podium is a false hope.

[Tazio]

Pizzsa delivery boys Baggie!