Ferrari needs to make improvements to its SF1000 in “all areas”, according to team boss Mattia Binotto, ahead of Formula 1’s opening event.
Ferrari cut a subdued figure through much of 2020’s pre-season test period at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with Binotto conceding it is not in a position to win in Australia.
Reigning World Champions Mercedes set the fastest time in both pre-season test sessions.
“The overall performance needs to be improved,” said Binotto.
“[That is the] power unit, even set-up, so I don’t think there is a single area where we need to focus but all the areas.
“The rear wing introduced in the second week is a wing with a bit less downforce and less drag, the one we brought on the first week had maximum downforce.
“The parts we got on the car are at least working as expected.”
Binotto was speaking prior to the revelation regarding the FIA reaching a “settlement” with Ferrari over its power unit, which was the class of the field last year, and the subject of much speculation.
But through pre-season testing Ferrari did not display the prestigious straight line-speed that was its trait last year, with Mercedes suggesting Ferrari was deliberately running down on speed.
When pressed on such a point, Binotto asserted: “When you’re speaking about delta speed, it’s all relative to the others.
“We are where we thought we’d be. We knew we had put a lot of drag [on the SF1000], we knew the power unit performance, so that is the speed we were expecting.
“The others are a lot faster on the straights, that is the situation.”
