Ferrari F2012

[myurr]

Is it really still a lack of correlation between theoretical and actual numbers?

Well the car isn't performing on track the way they expected it to, and they're stabbing around at an exhaust position almost as if they've resorted to trial and error rather than calculation.

Their problems could be 100% mechanical I guess, but it's much more likely that the aero isn't performing how they expect. And that would be down to the wind tunnel saying one thing and the car doing something else.

[Dann]

Unlike rivals, I thought they're testing in two tunnels; ex-toyota's and Maranello?

[bhall]

I'm still very suspicious of that combo of a high-nose and shallow-angle pull-rods, where I believe they went overboard in search for that magic bullet to get the jump on the field?

My initial thoughts were that the front pull rod suspension is a sort of off-the-wall attempt to build heat into the tires faster so as to improve their qualifying pace, which is an area where the team has struggled for quite some time now. Maybe it works too well?

The overall aerodynamics are as such that when the car was launched, I surmised that the F2012 may very well be the first in the DRS-era designed to absolutely rely upon DRS for straight-line speed, hence Ferrari allowing the brick-like nose and cluttered exhaust housings. Even though it made sense to me at the time as long as the car made enough downforce to justify handicapping its efficiency, I was shouted down by everyone who continually said that air flow over the car is much less important than air flow under it. That may be true. Either way, the F2012 only managed to reach 17th and 18th at the speed trap, and the car still didn't have enough grip.

[AdrianoZed]

From what i saw in the race the car lacks rear downforce.
Cars turn-in was good and did not understeer excessively, but mid corner and exit grip were very bad, so i think its not the pullrod front end but a combination of rear mechanical grip and poor aerodynamic performance.
I do think they will improve massively by end of season and will be third in constructors, unlike other "midfield" teams they have the resources to throw at this car compared to the rest which over the whole season will not have improved as much.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Great high res shot of the front bulkhead. Right click>view image


image via @michaeldaniel75


image via @michaeldaniel75


image via @michaeldanile75

[n_anirudh]

[Jersey Tom]

My initial thoughts were that the front pull rod suspension is a sort of off-the-wall attempt to build heat into the tires faster

How do you figure? Curious what the thought process was.

[raymondu999]

I'm also very curious as to that. How do the dynamics of pull vs push rods work in terms of loading and heating up the tyres?

[Gerhard Berger]

Is it really still a lack of correlation between theoretical and actual numbers?

Well the car isn't performing on track the way they expected it to, and they're stabbing around at an exhaust position almost as if they've resorted to trial and error rather than calculation.

Their problems could be 100% mechanical I guess, but it's much more likely that the aero isn't performing how they expect. And that would be down to the wind tunnel saying one thing and the car doing something else.

It would not surprise me, but Gene has said that there are no problems with the wind tunnel whilst Domenicalli said they are lacking in the area of CFD, so I would guess that it is a problem with the latter.

As for the exhaust position, i think it is quite hard to test the effects of this in a wind tunnel, and most of it would be done on computer, which backs up my guess above.

[sknguy]

From what i saw in the race the car lacks rear downforce.
Cars turn-in was good and did not understeer excessively, but mid corner and exit grip were very bad, so i think its not the pullrod front end but a combination of rear mechanical grip and poor aerodynamic performance.
I do think they will improve massively by end of season and will be third in constructors, unlike other "midfield" teams they have the resources to throw at this car compared to the rest which over the whole season will not have improved as much.

From what I'd seen I have to agree with the first part of your statement and I'd add that the car seems well balanced. Alonso has said the car is balanced and hasn't complained about any imblance. The car seems to become twitchy because of its exessive tire wear. Unfortunately, Massa's having more trouble with the rear tire wear than Alonso. I recall when traction control was banned Massa was having a much harder time adjusting than others and presently seems to have trouble staying inside the limit.

I'm glad Ferrari this year have changed their policy of pitting the team's front runner first by allowing Massa to pit first in this race. Massa, on softs, first pitted on lap 11 and went back to using softs. Alonso's first stop was on lap 13 and changed from softs to mediums, and used mediums for the remainder of the race. All I know is that the characteristivs of this car mean they're not kind on tires. Ferrari pitted their cars before almost everyone else. On Alsonso's last stint he tried to make his final set of tires last the 24 laps to the end causing him to drop further back from the leaders and into Maldanado.

But, the poor tire wear doesn't mean it's "the car" that's hard on tires. Also, just because a car is balanced doesn't necessarily mean that the car will be easy on tires either. The lack of speed just means the drivers have to work the tires that much harder to keep up... I suspect? I agree with Alonso when he said the car lacks speed because at the beginning of Australia he was having to use up his tires just to keep up.

[banibhusan]

In Ferrari's case it was easier to bring Massa in first because he was not fighting at the front or at least anywhere near Alonso. They had the liberty to choose different strategies for both the drivers. Massa was struggling badly and would have lost lot of places, hence it was a better idea to bring him in earlier than Alonso. Had it been a case similar to the McLaren's, Ferrari would never have brought Massa in first.

[donskar]

It's just the first race of the year. Let's chill and remember how well Ferrari has been able to devlop its cars. And the car performed in Australia much better than most of expected. Either McL will run away, or McL and Red Bull will take points off each other while Alonso scores what points he can. If the McL is dominant, then it is all moot. If RBR is competitive (who thinks it won't be!?) then there is time to improve the car. And improve rather than panic is what they will do (according to Domencali quoted in Autosport.com). He says they are NOT developing a new car, but will improve this one. Let's see what happens. An earlier poster said "only" 5 drivers were able to start with a deficit and still win the WDC. Alonso is easily good enough to do the same. (Meanwhile, I agree no chance for WCC. Massa is dead man walking.)

[sknguy]

Well, I'm only interested in the development of this car more than anything. So I agree with Domenicalli. Just wouldn't mind seeing what this chassis could do with a bit more speed. I still say ditch the flared side pods. But I guess we'll see what their future holds.

[WhiteBlue]

It's just the first race of the year. Let's chill and remember how well Ferrari has been able to devlop its cars. And the car performed in Australia much better than most of expected.

Realistically the Ferrari F2012 is on P6 of the pecking order even behind the Williams as Maldonado stated correctly. I'm sure they will massively improve the car over the season but how long will it take to close the gap to the top teams? I believe too long for Alonso to catch up a 50 point lead which the leaders may have accumulated at that time.

[amouzouris]

It's just the first race of the year. Let's chill and remember how well Ferrari has been able to devlop its cars. And the car performed in Australia much better than most of expected.

Realistically the Ferrari F2012 is on P6 of the pecking order even behind the Williams as Maldonado stated correctly. I'm sure they will massively improve the car over the season but how long will it take to close the gap to the top teams? I believe too long for Alonso to catch up a 50 point lead which the leaders may have accumulated at that time.

laptime-wise they are in a better place than lasat year..