Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto says the squad is already evaluating new concepts in the wake of lessons it learned during last week’s in-season Formula 1 test.
Ferrari has endured a troubled start to the 2019 campaign with the marque having yet to take a win, while rival Mercedes has opened a substantial points advantage in both championships after taking five straight 1-2 finishes.
Ferrari was comprehensively beaten by Mercedes at the most recent event in Spain, with Binotto accepting it was “losing a lot” with its SF90 “in each corner” of the Barcelona circuit.
Binotto added that a “proper analysis” was needed and suggested that its car concept for 2019 may need addressing.
Formula 1 stayed on in Spain for two days of post-race testing last Tuesday and Wednesday, with Charles Leclerc and simulator driver Antonio Fuoco splitting duties, and Binotto feels Ferrari made progress in understanding the direction it needs to take.
“Last week’s testing in Barcelona and analyses carried out in Maranello confirmed just how much this year’s tyres, which are very different to those we had in 2018, require different mechanical and aerodynamic settings to work properly,” he said.
“We are already working in Maranello on evaluating new concepts, as well as bringing some initial further updates here [to Monaco].
Pirelli has reduced the breadth of its tyre range for 2019 while its rubber also features the thinner gauge that was used at a handful of events last season.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s race in Monaco, Binotto said: “It’s a very different sort of race, where the track characteristics that can shake up the order could be jumbled up still further this weekend.
“As usual, qualifying will be very important because of the fact it’s almost impossible to overtake.
“Of course, Monaco is Charles' home race and we know how much it means to him. It means a lot to us too.”
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