Luca Marmorini has criticised his former team for asking him to build a smaller power unit than those designed by Mercedes and Renault because the smaller size, albeit down on power, would award them better aerodynamics, making up for the power deficit.
The Italian oversaw Ferrari’s V6 power unit development programme but, with the team scoring just two podiums so far, he was forced out during a reshuffle in July.
Speaking to journalist Leo Turrini, Marmorini revealed the decision came from chief designer Nikolas Tombazis who assured him that a smaller unit would allow for better aerodynamics which would make up for any power loss.
“In short, it was made out that all the woes of the F14T are the fault of the power unit,” he said. “As if a company with the history of Ferrari had forgotten how to make engines!
“With my colleagues I packaged a power unit with a certain size, a smaller version of the Mercedes and Renault, because we were asked by the project manager of the car, Mr. Tombazis.
“[He] said we want a very compact power unit, with small radiators, because the power loss will be compensated with aerodynamic solutions that will guarantee us an advantage over the cars [of] Mercedes and Renault.
“It’s been exactly like that, except that, when we were confronted with the competition, the horses (horsepower) were obviously less, but this was not compensated by aerodynamics!”
He also revealed that he had spoken to new team principal Marco Mattiacci just twice during the three months they worked together prior to his departure.
“I would like to explain to Marco Mattiacci [what the problem is], but with Mattiacci, in three months, I exchanged just a few words. We saw each other twice, the first for the greetings, the second when he gave me a letter that confirmed my farewell to the company.”
