Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri says the marque will accelerate its development programme for its SF1000 in the wake of its poor performance at Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Ferrari cautioned that it was unlikely to challenge at the front in Austria after correlation issues post-testing exposed the weaknesses of its car.
Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto confirmed that a revised development programme had been initiated but the first raft of updates would not be ready until the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The squad qualified only seventh and 11th in Austria though Charles Leclerc salvaged second spot in an attrition-filled grand prix, as Sebastian Vettel struggled to 10th after a spin.
Binotto warned after the race that there were “no silver bullets” for Ferrari’s lack of pace, suggesting that of the squad’s one-second per lap deficit 70 per cent of it was along the straights.
Ferrari has now outlined its desire to bring forward as much of the aerodynamic package intended for Hungary as possible to this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix, which will be held at the Red Bull Ring.
The squad hopes that bringing the updates to the same circuit will enable more useful back-to-back comparisons “on every upgrade” to be undertaken, as it seeks to reduce its deficit to the front-runners.
“We know there’s lots of work to do,” said Camilleri on Monday. “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 any confidence in Mattia and the team in addressing our shortcomings.”
