Scuderia Ferrari’s new F1 team principal Frédéric Vasseur says rumors that Ferrari has found another 30bhp in its F1 power unit development this winter are a ‘joke’.
F1 engine freeze regulations do not allow performance development, but allow F1 teams to extract more potential reliability improvements, with Italian media reporting an increase of around 30 horsepower at Maranello is reported to be equivalent to
However, Frédéric Vasseur hastily denied this figure, although he acknowledged progress in reliability.
“Regarding the engine, I don’t know where the numbers come from, but it’s just a joke!” said Frédéric Vasseur.
“We’ve taken some steps and it’s just about reliability. I think the performance of the engine was absolutely fine. The problem is reliability and the first goal is to fix that. For now. It looks fine, but the reality on the track is another side.”
“I think there are some issues that teams have suffered, not just Ferrari. In terms of reliability, it’s also due to track operation, bouncing, vibration, etc. In Bahrain, we’ll have a better image.
“I think it’s under control today and I think they’ve done a good job over the last few months.”
Ferrari appeared to be struggling to match Red Bull and Mercedes when it comes to developing their 2022 car, but Vasseur said he was unwilling to describe it as a weakness just yet as he was uncertain about the circumstances surrounding it. talk.
“Now that there is a cost cap, development is very often a strategic choice, whether to focus on the car of the year after next or on the current car,” said Frederic Vasseur.
“I wasn’t there, so I don’t want to make judgments about what happened in the past, but we’ll find out during the season.”
Frédéric Vasseur says he does not intend to make any immediate changes to Ferrari as the Ferrari technical team needs time to understand how it works.
“No, it would be arrogant on my part to take action against the technical organization after two weeks,” says Frédéric Vasseur.
“We’ve been talking about how the system can be improved, what the system’s weaknesses are, and trying to do a better job. But it’s not about big steps or big changes, it’s more about continuous improvement.” From my point of view it wouldn’t make sense.”
“I trust the people who are there right now and I want them to do the best they can. It will be, but I trust them.”
Mattia Vasseur, who replaced Mattia Binotto who lost his job after the team finished second in last season’s Constructors’ Championship, is expected to aim higher this season. He admits it, but says it’s by no means an unrealistic goal.
“It’s a natural target,” said Frédéric Vasseur.
“Being part of a top team, you can’t have a goal other than to win at the end. That’s not ambitious. I think we have everything we need to do a good job and the goal is wrong. to win without
