Ferrari are to conduct one of their permitted straight-line aerodynamic tests at Vairano following their “unsatisfactory” performance at Spa.
The team said in a statement that the new parts introduced in Spa had not performed as expected and would get a ‘real-world’ test ahead of their home Grand Prix at Monza next week:
One can never count on new solutions that have never been track-tested before immediately delivering results: that has been the case several times this year for all the teams. On top of that, the changeable weather during Friday’s free practice certainly did not make the job any easier for the engineers.
With this in mind, as well as in order to test the aerodynamic configuration to be used in the Italian Grand Prix, there will an aero test at the Vairano straight over the next few days. After the debrief, [Luca di] Montezemolo had a meeting with team principal Stefano Domenicali, as well has having lengthy telephone conversations with Felipe and Fernando.
Giancarlo Fisichella drove one of the team’s cars when it ran at Vairano earlier in the year while developing its version of the F-duct.
Read more: Ferrari test F-duct and new aero at Vairano
Manu
30th August 2010, 21:38
In my English – Ferrarish dictionary, “had a meeting” and “a lengthy conversation telephone conversation” means they all got an earful from Montezemolo lol.
US_Peter
30th August 2010, 23:06
He whispered though…
Calum
30th August 2010, 21:41
I thought a straight line test would have suited Luca Badoer!!!
Seriously though, is there any benefit to these tests? Just the same as a wind tunnel is it not?
Steezy
30th August 2010, 21:56
The answer to your question is pretty much in the first paragraph of the Ferrari quote that was posted here!
Sometimes you need more than just the wind tunnel, the practice sessions are vital now that testing is pretty much banned outside of it, so if they’re ruined by rain it’s a big hit.
They got away with a ‘filming’ day, Ferrari, but that’s just it.. they got away with it, once.
Teams can still do some straight line tests.
bosyber
31st August 2010, 15:57
Plus, this way, they have actual real data that the stuff works, or if not, where it breaks down, before they get to the Monza weekend, which seems to be a rather important race for Ferrari, somehow. So if it doesn’t work, they have time to try and fix things.
Spud (@)
30th August 2010, 22:14
I suppose they might get some data from the windtunnel but you can’t really be “real” running of the car as opposed to simulated running.
Pinball
31st August 2010, 3:08
Can they use a full scale car in the wind tunnel? If not I would imagine the only benefit of a straight line test over a wind tunnel test is the ability to use the full scale car, eliminating the need to produce scale parts for a wind tunnel model.
bosyber
31st August 2010, 15:58
Good point, I think they cannot use a more than 50% model for the wind tunnel.
patrickl
1st September 2010, 14:57
Think it’s 60%, but it’s certainly not full size.
DaveW
30th August 2010, 22:11
Maybe, in light of recent events, they should wait for the hearing to decided whether to spend more money on this year’s car.
rfs
30th August 2010, 22:40
IMO they shouldn’t stop developing this year’s car until Alonso is mathematically out of the title race. Next year’s regulations aren’t changing much if at all, and stopping development of the F60 hasn’t made the F10 a rocketship.
hawkfist
30th August 2010, 22:47
Yup, increased minimum weight, KERS and the adjustable rear wing will just bolt right onto the current car, that and the banned double decker diffuser.
We want turbos
31st August 2010, 0:25
Hmmm detecting a hint of sarcasm…
Jack Peekoc
31st August 2010, 1:16
Has kers been confirmed? Surely they wouldn’t put that extra pressure on the new teams?
justhinking
31st August 2010, 1:16
How about an open test day the Monday after each GP at the track used for the race ( may have to exclude street races). Everyones there and would give the promoters a chance to make a few dollars and the fans a chance to see the cars for one extra day.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
31st August 2010, 8:48
Bernie did proposed that to FOTA & FIA but they didn’t responded. But this will cause some problem when we have back to back races. As you just have 4 days of preparation between the Sunday when the race finishes & Friday when the practice starts.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
31st August 2010, 3:14
I haven’t seen many teams using that limited testing session to develop their car this season but only Ferrari.
qwerk
31st August 2010, 4:32
last year liuzzi tested forceindia on Gloucestershire airport runway and they got faster after that
BasCB
31st August 2010, 8:34
Ferrari seems to be unable to shake off being uncertain of their developments actually working. They should have a look at Virgin or Renault approaches to get some confidence in their development team.
DGR-F1
31st August 2010, 13:08
So are we also going to see a whole week of ‘photo opportunities’ and sponsor backed sessions so that Ferrari can work out whats gone wrong?
Eric
31st August 2010, 15:51
makes you wounder if the new test caught Ferrari out.
if they didn’t have to make changes how come they fell so far behind when there straight line speed has been just as good as McLaren on most other circuits to date when running there F/Duct.
i find it hard to believe they could not keep up, they had a fantastic car before Spa.
really funny how the pendulum swings from one team to another, different tracks suit different cars, and yet Red Bull can manage best qualifying at almost every track.
Electrolite
31st August 2010, 17:27
The F10 looked like it was going to be the car to beat in testing I remember. it was all about Alonso. Like someone said, it probably gave them a false impression and then have fallen behind.
Scalextric
1st September 2010, 2:30
A straight line test is most appropriate before Monza, one of the lowest down force tracks. Are any other teams going to use one of their permitted tests this week as well?
Gill
1st September 2010, 8:22
Which all teams have done their straight line testing this year ?