Domenicali: no escape routes next year

Ferrari believes that its 2009 season was ruined by the controversy surrounding double diffusers, but asserts that the complete clarity of the regulations for next year means there is no reason why Ferrari should not fight for the titles again.

The team based in Maranello had not adopted the double-diffuser concept used by Brawn GP, Williams, and Toyota at the start of the season, and Ferrari struggled to integrate it into their F60 once the FIA deemed the concept completely legal.

Aware that integrating the concept would be long and tedious on a single-seater not designed to accommodate it, Ferrari made the decision mid-season to focus on the design of the 2010 single-seater, which leads the Ferrari team to be optimistic about their prospects for the next year.

Asked about the reasons why the team is confident about its chances for the next season, the team director, Stefano Domenicali, stated: “The confidence comes from the fact that we do not see any loopholes in the regulations that can be considered legal. Now, things are legally clear. No discussions and we can look forward.”

«We also made the choice that Ross [Brawn] made with Honda two years ago, to focus all efforts on the new project. I think the reason we did something different from McLaren is because our car was structured in a way not to develop the double diffuser.»

« It was blocked, and that’s why we decided not to work on this point (on the F60), because it will not apply to next year. That’s why, looking at the data we have in the wind tunnel, I am positive now. With my feet on the ground, but definitely, positive. »

Even though Ferrari missed out on third place in the Constructors’ Championship by only two points to McLaren, Domenicali praised the fighting spirit of his team and their efforts in what was a challenging season. “We had the spirit,” he noted with a certain pride, “and we are used to moving forward with the Ferrari spirit and Ferrari resources, and that is what we must take away from this year.”

« It was a difficult season, but you have to look at the situation this year and what happened. I think from a technical standpoint, the championship was led in a way with the double diffuser at the beginning.

«This means that we had to work on the car without this kind of structure, and it was difficult to catch up. We knew this, and that’s why, given what we had seen when we made the initial developments, we made the very difficult decision to stop working on the car and focus on the next season. »

He added: “It was a very painful decision because we knew that, in this context, we were going to suffer, and we had to keep in mind that we had made a rational decision. It’s painful to pay for it this year, but hopefully it will be positive for next year.”

«If you look at the end of the championship, unfortunately, we are fourth, one point behind McLaren who made the decision, which must be totally respected, to develop the car until the end.»

Since Felipe [Massa]’s accident, we have had only one car that scored points. I think if you look at the glass, you should take it as half full rather than half empty. I think these are all the things we have to consider, but it is obvious that there are many important lessons to learn from this year for the next season.