Liuzzi 'lacks optimism' as Ferrari approaches important Montreal assessment.
Vitantonio Liuzzi acknowledges his concerns regarding Ferrari's chances for the championship, despite an increasing belief that the team's updated chassis could now be one of the most competitive on the grid. Following Miami, Ferrari seemed to fall behind McLaren and Red Bull again, even after the Italian team launched a comprehensive new aerodynamic package featuring the much-discussed ’Macarena’ rear wing.
As per La Gazzetta dello Sport's technical analyst Paolo Filisetti, the upcoming Montreal weekend will serve as the first true test to determine if Ferrari's developmental strategy is effectively paying off. "Ferrari rolled out a thorough aerodynamic upgrade in Miami, consisting of eleven different components," Filisetti noted.
However, he mentioned that Miami did not provide clear insights since the circuit heavily emphasized Ferrari's engine shortfall in comparison to Mercedes. "The objective data has reiterated the shortcomings of Maranello’s current power unit," Filisetti elaborated.
"There is a consensus in the paddock that the SF-26 is a highly capable car concerning chassis and aerodynamics, but its performance currently lags behind the best in terms of engine output." Filisetti also speculated that Mercedes might face challenges in leveraging its typically better energy-management strategies as effectively as on other circuits. He added that Ferrari has been working diligently on revised energy-management modes following regulation changes made in Miami. "Rumors suggest that the simulations have produced very positive results," Filisetti stated.
Former Toro Rosso and Red Bull driver Liuzzi is less convinced that Ferrari can maintain a title challenge. "I hope so," he commented when asked about Ferrari's title chances. "However, I'm not very optimistic, unfortunately, as we've become accustomed to the car's development during the season being slightly slower than that of our rivals. Ferrari consistently comes close, but regrettably, it’s not sufficient to clinch the title. Still, I hope to be proven wrong, and we’ll see Ferrari competing in the latter half of the championship."
Meanwhile, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that the Brackley-based team will finally unveil its first significant upgrade package of the season in Canada, following their competitors’ announcements in Miami. "Our rivals made progress in Miami, and we must respond," Wolff stated. "With seven Grands Prix in 10 weekends before the shutdown, we have an opportunity to do that and gain momentum."
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Formula 1 | Vitantonio Liuzzi expresses his pessimism regarding Ferrari's chances for the title, despite an increasing belief that the team's revised chassis could now be among the (...)
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The forecast promises cool weather during the Canadian Grand Prix days with a gradual increase in the likelihood of precipitation.
Liuzzi 'lacks optimism' as Ferrari approaches important Montreal assessment.
Formula 1 | Vitantonio Liuzzi expresses his doubts regarding Ferrari's chances for the championship, even as there is increasing confidence that the team's revamped chassis could now be among the (…)