Ferrari admits that its 2020 engine is “not as solid,” and that it must now overcome a straight line speed deficit compared to its Formula 1 rivals after working to improve reliability.
While Ferrari believes that the SF1000 is a step forward in cornering performance, it became clear during pre-season testing that the car is declining in terms of top speed.
Ferrari’s straight-line power has been one of its main benefits in recent seasons, but team manager Mattia Binotto said the lack of speed from the new car was both a compromised engine performance and a car producing too much drag.
When Autosport asked which of the two offered the best explanation for Ferrari’s straight line performance, Binotto said: “In terms of overall performance on horsepower and engine, we are not as strong as last year.
“We were sort of focused on our reliability and that ultimately compromised performance.
“But drag greatly affects speed. I think when you’re looking for better speed, you have to look for the drag and the power of the engine itself.
“We will work on these two elements in the future, no doubt.
“The drag is the one you could possibly tackle earlier compared to the feed unit – for that you have to wait for the second feed unit.”
Binotto’s admission comes against the backdrop of long-standing suspicions about the 2019 Ferrari engine, which have resulted in an “agreement” on the issue between the FIA and the team.
Speaking before the FIA revealed the deal with Ferrari, Binotto said the team’s 2020 powertrain was limited by a reliability program it was running.
Regarding suspicions that Ferrari had hidden the engine’s potential, Binotto said: “We are not hiding. This is our real performance.
“It’s hard to divide on the street what is drag and what is horsepower, but we are definitely slowing down compared to other competitors.
“This is affected in one way by drag and the other by the reliability program we have in place.”
Ferrari admits that its 2020 engine is “not as solid,” and that it must now overcome a straight line speed deficit compared to its Formula 1 rivals after working to improve reliability.
While Ferrari believes that the SF1000 is a step forward in cornering performance, it became clear during pre-season testing that the car is declining in terms of top speed.
Ferrari’s straight-line power has been one of its main benefits in recent seasons, but team manager Mattia Binotto said the lack of speed from the new car was both a compromised engine performance and a car producing too much drag.
When Autosport asked which of the two offered the best explanation for Ferrari’s straight line performance, Binotto said: “In terms of overall performance on horsepower and engine, we are not as strong as last year.
“We were sort of focused on our reliability and that ultimately compromised performance.
“But drag greatly affects speed. I think when you’re looking for better speed, you have to look for the drag and the power of the engine itself.
“We will work on these two elements in the future, no doubt.
“The drag is the one you could possibly tackle earlier compared to the feed unit – for that you have to wait for the second feed unit.”
Binotto’s admission comes against the backdrop of long-standing suspicions about the 2019 Ferrari engine, which have resulted in an “agreement” on the issue between the FIA and the team.
Speaking before the FIA revealed the deal with Ferrari, Binotto said the team’s 2020 powertrain was limited by a reliability program it was running.
Regarding suspicions that Ferrari had hidden the engine’s potential, Binotto said: “We are not hiding. This is our real performance.
“It’s hard to divide on the street what is drag and what is horsepower, but we are definitely slowing down compared to other competitors.
“This is affected in one way by drag and the other by the reliability program we have in place.”
