Ferrari debuted new parts at the Nürburgring
At the Eifel Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari continues its development work it started at the Russian Grand Prix by introducing new parts to its SF1000 that has proved troublesome so far in the coronavirus-affected 2020 F1 season.
The Maranello-based team endured a shocking start to its season after realizing that is has slipped down the pecking order for 2021. While Team Principal Mattia Binotto first suggested that the drop in form was down to the ’draggy’ aerodynamic concept of the car, it quickly became evident that the team has lost a significant amount of engine power after it was forced to completely rebuild its power unit for 2021.
The uncompetitiveness of the SF1000 was particularly penalizing this year as teams agreed to heavily limit the development opportunites for this year due to the coronavirus-induced financial difficulties. Although Ferrari introduced small aerodynamic updates to its car at the Styrian and Hungarian Grands Prix, the second and third rounds of the championship, the Scuderia did not bring any major new parts for the following races.
However, the Russian Grand Prix saw Ferrari finally introduce new parts to its car.The most visible change affected the rear wing of the car that was equipped with new end plates. The six previous narrow slots have been replaced by three more distinct and curved slots. The new rear wing also features a stepped transition on its upper edge.
Furthermore, the Scuderia also brought changes to the profiling of the under-nose cape and slightly modified the nose of the SF1000 that features taller slots which could increase volume of airflow through the underfloor and bargeboard area.
Formula One’s most successful outfit has continued its work on the aerodynamics of its underperforming 2020 car by brining new parts for this weekend’s Eifel Grand Prix. The upgrade package includes small changes to the front of the floor and a complete revision to the complex barge boards.
Ferrari is expected to carry on with its development work at the coming rounds. For the inaugural Portuguese Grand Prix that is set to be staged at Portimao on October 25, the team is believed to introduce a new diffuser. The back end of the car is a particularly sensitive area as the FIA will introduce new rules for next years, trying to cut back the downforce levels at the rear so that this year’s Pirelli tyres can still cope with the loads in 2021.
The current regulations prevent the power unit manufacturers from introducing any updates to their engines which rewards those who started the year with a strong unit. After losing its advantage in terms of engine performance, Ferrari is working on a totally new power unit for 2021 that has been tested on the dyno for several months. Speaking about the engine development, Binotto confirmed that „next year we will have a completely new engine that has been running on the bench for months providing good feedback.”
