myurr wrote:f1316 wrote:It seems logical to me that since the acer ducts are extending out further than other teams' as part of Ferrari's exhaust solution, if this is not working they are doubly hit - i.e. not only do they not have an effective exhaust solution, but the car's aero is also negatively impacted.
Therefore, if this is in some way rectified - whether by cutting the ducts shorter and adopting, for example, a Sauber type solution, or by making the initial solution work to the extent it was supposed to (and they must have seen a big benefit from it, as they would surely have been aware of the aero/drag downside) - they can solve their two big problems in one fell swoop.
Changing the ducts will require downstream changes to the rest of the car, even if subtle. So that is why we haven't seen them just chop them off. No doubt they're working on a refinement that we'll see in the next couple of races, but it's not going to be a quick and easy fix for them. Come the European races no doubt we'll see a Sauber style exhaust on this car but if they try and rush it then they'll be taking a huge huge risk of it not working and them falling further behind before they can get it all hooked up.
No, sure, I totally get that. I was thinking more of the Mugello test being the time at which they introduce the fully modified arrangement; but my point was it may be that one issue is causing myriad problems and therefore IF (big if) they can sort it, they could overcome numerous issues.
In many ways they are lucky they have a test so soon into the season this year - although some would argue that another test at the beginning would have helped them get a better handle on the car. I'm not sure I agree with that though, since they're bound to have better info from the two races so far (and the four before the test) than from any amount of testing.
Interestingly, Autosport are saying this:
"But its [Ferrari's] major focus will be on big upgrades for the Spanish Grand Prix, with the car set to feature a new sidepod, exhaust and rear bodywork solution."