Ferrari ‘rolling up its sleeves, not crying about’ SF1000 performance

Ferrari has confirmed it will bring a handful of the updates it had originally planned for Hungary forward by a week in an effort to improve the performance of its troubled SF1000.

Though Charles Leclerc recovered to a brilliant podium in the Austrian Grand Prix it came against the backdrop of a troubled weekend in which both he and Sebastian Vettel were largely off the pace and mired in the upper mid-field.

With the drivers complaining of issues all round, data shows the Ferrari powered cars are struggling especially in a straight line, raising more speculation about the fuel flow irregularities that the FIA forced the team to address at the end of last season, which in turn led to a slip in form.

Having said pre-season that an update was on the way in Hungary, Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri has now confirmed Ferrari will bring some of those upgrades to this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix.

“Charles put on a show yesterday in Austria, both in his ability to see the opportunities that came his way in the latter stages and, above all, in his defence when he was under attack from quicker cars in terms of pure speed. He confirmed yet again his talent and determination to defend the colours of the Scuderia, even if there was no need of any further proof.

“It was a pity for Sebastian who couldn’t show his best performance because he was uncomfortable with the balance of the car: now we are analysing the data to understand the reasons why. We know there’s lots of work to do. This is certainly not the grid position that a team like Ferrari should have and we have to respond immediately.

“It’s clear that we have to improve on all fronts. The only solution is to react and I’m pleased by the immediate reaction and the work that Mattia and all his team are putting in at every level. This is not just to bring to the track today what was scheduled to be ready tomorrow, but also to speed up the programme of development for the coming races.

“This is the response of a united team which is rolling up its sleeves and facing the problems head on, without crying about it. We are at the start of a new cycle with a long term plan. Any setbacks will certainly not change our chosen course and I have every confidence in Mattia and the team in addressing our shortcomings.”