Ferrari: Pat Fry is not satisfied but optimistic

After Felipe Massa, who was the first to drive the F2012, stated that Scuderia Ferrari still had a lot of work to do with its latest model, it was Pat Fry’s turn, Ferrari’s technical director, to give his first impressions: « I am not satisfied with where we are at the moment. I think there is a lot of room for improvement from where we currently stand. »

The F2012 indeed did not set the timing screens alight, with Scuderia primarily focusing on aerodynamic evaluations to learn about the behavior of its new machine, which, unlike some of its rivals, comes from an entirely new approach: « From a reliability point of view, it is good [editor’s note: even though Ferrari encountered hydraulic problems on Thursday]. In terms of performance, I think we are OK, but we can still chase performance and improve the car in certain corners and in certain parts of the corner, but I would not say I am satisfied until everything works correctly. »

Pat Fry also reminds us that Scuderia Ferrari is primarily focusing on foundational work this week: « We are working with a broad spectrum here, so in each stint, we try different configurations. We are conducting many analyses both here and at the factory. We perform simulations and use the simulator to ensure everything aligns so we can assemble the best package. »

Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have therefore not, for the moment, been placed in conditions to seek performance: « We are not looking to remove fuel and achieve the best time. We only have twelve days of testing before the next race, so we must make the most of the time we have. »

Pat Fry acknowledges that reducing private testing to three weeks before the season puts more pressure on the shoulders of the Maranello team as they discover a brand new car: « Certainly, having three weeks instead of four compresses things a bit. I think we have a lot of work to do. […] So there’s a bit more pressure on everyone: tests need to be done and decisions made quickly. We’ll have a week off, but then two weeks of intense testing and then we’ll have to pack up for Melbourne. So there’s a lot of work for everyone, and it’s the same for every team. »

However, unlike some teams and due to the snow that fell in northern Italy last week, Ferrari could not carry out the traditional shakedown of its car: « Felipe Massa’s first morning was dedicated to doing what we could have done at Fiorano, so now we are trying to catch up. »

The technical director of Ferrari also wanted to downplay the risk taken according to some with the new front pull-rod suspensions: « The front suspension isn’t such a big deal, to be honest. It’s a small gain in terms of aerodynamic efficiency and center of gravity, and I know it’s different from what people have seen in the past, but it’s not as big a risk as that, to be frank. »

In conclusion, and to reassure the tifosi, Pat Fry simply reminds them that they are all working very hard…