Ferrari walks the tightrope between 2008 and 2009

The Scuderia Ferrari insists that it has the ability to maintain the development of its 2008 car while focusing on the significant regulatory changes planned for next year.

Technical director Aldo Costa revealed that the production phase of the F2009, including the chassis and the gearbox, has begun.

The teams must manage the following dilemma: Continue to focus on this season’s cars or allocate their resources to preparing for those of 2009.

Ferrari is going all out. The prancing horse team leads the constructors’ standings by 11 points, but Räikkönen is 5 points behind McLaren-Mercedes’ leader, Lewis Hamilton.

« Ferrari has the capabilities and resources to work on both the F2009 without having to worry about the development of the F2008, » commented Costa.

However, the Italian admits that resources are very difficult to allocate between 2008 and 2009, given the upcoming season’s introduction of bodywork restrictions, KERS, and the return of slick tires.

« This makes the equation more complex than ever. That’s why we must operate in the best possible way in terms of time management, commitment, and energy. We are now living in a delicate phase where no mistakes can be made, » he continued.

« A step in the wrong direction could prove very costly. »