Ferrari are hoping the return of KERS will give them an advantageous start to the season, thanks to their previous knowledge of running the system.
The Kinetic Energy Recovery System will make its return in 2011 after FOTA agreed to ban it last year. Ferrari were among a handful of teams to use the system, with only them and McLaren getting to grips with the technology come the end of the season.
Team principal Stefano Domenicali believes this will give them an advantage in the opening races as the remainder of the grid attempt to catch up.
“We hope it could constitute an advantage, at least in the early part of the season,” he said whilst talking to the media at the Wrooom event.
“We have continued to work on this system, trying to improve it especially in terms of weight, even if the rules regarding its usage have remained unchanged.”
The Italian was a little more skeptical when it came to another change for the 2011 season – adjustable rear-wings.
“In recent weeks there have been some clarifications from the FIA, but clearly until it is actually used on track, it will not be possible to give an overall assessment of this system,” he added.
Speaking about Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, the 45-year-old expressed pleasure in how the Spaniard had integrated with the outfit during his first year.
“Fernando showed, especially in the second half of the season, that he is an extraordinary talent, but that was hardly a surprise and we start from that baseline again this year.
“What was very pleasing was seeing how quickly he integrated himself with our team and the added value this brought was exceptional.”
Meanwhile, on the subject of Massa’s poor season, Domenicali expects the Brazilian to fight back in 2011 and once again challenge for the title.
“Felipe had a difficult season, but I am totally convinced that he will know how to react in just the right way, as he capable of doing. In fact, he has often been under pressure and in these situations, he has delivered in a way that surprised many people.
“He is a total professional, who has grown here with us and we can count on him: I expect him to be motivated to the maximum,” explained the Italian.
“We want to have two strong drivers capable of winning: that is what you need if you aspire to winning both titles. As usual there is no hierarchy at the start of the season as that is determined by what happens on track.”
