Ferrari's Domenicali sees tyres as key in 2011
Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali believes the switch to Pirelli tyres for 2011 could have a fundamental impact on the Formula One season.
January 12, 2011 / 20:31 IST
Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali believes the switch to Pirelli tyres for 2011 could have a fundamental impact on the Formula One season.
The Italian company has returned to the sport for the first time since 1991, replacing Bridgestone, but the restrictions on testing mean it is a race against time to get the tyres ready for the opening race in Bahrain on March 13."On the rear tyres there are still some steps to be done. Due to the time we also haven't done tests with wet tyres," Domenicali told a news conference at a ski retreat."We need to thank Pirelli, without them we would be running on rims."Domenicali is hoping for rain during the first pre-season tests in Valencia from February 1-3 to see how the tyres react in the wet.Pirelli have said they hope their tyres can help create more of a spectacle than last season."This year, qualifying should not be as important as it was last season," Domenicali said. "Last season was very interesting and competitive but there wasn't a lot of overtaking. This is a fundamental aspect which must be worked on."A strategy error on pit stops in the final race of last season in Abu Dhabi cost Ferrari's Fernando Alonso the title and although memories are still raw, Domenicali is keen to move on.Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel took the crown and reports recently alleged the German's team and others may have overspent last season in a breach of rules, but Domenicali is not looking for revenge."The Formula One team's association (FOTA) has all the tools to manage the situation. We respect the rules that's all I can say," he said.Engineer Chris Dyer, blamed by Italian media for the pitstop call in Abu Dhabi, has been moved aside and Red Bull's Neil Martin brought in, but Domenicali said he did not want to dwell on the past.Massa backedDriver Felipe Massa finished a disappointing sixth last year. "Felipe had a difficult season but I'm convinced he will react positively. I saw Felipe already with a different face at the first tests with Pirelli," Domenicali said, deflecting a question about whether the Brazilian may be replaced for 2012.MotoGP great Valentino Rossi, at the same retreat on his first official outing with new team Ducati, has long been courted by Ferrari as a potential driver having tested cars.Although any future move now looks highly unlikely, Domenicali said of his fellow Italian: "Never say never," adding that talent alone in MotoGP could win races whereas Formula One relied perhaps too much on systems and aerodynamics.He reaffirmed that the part-legalisation of team orders in F1 was "logical and correct" and the Monza fan reckoned the chances of a Rome Grand Prix were unlikely given 20 races in 2011 was the limit and countries should only hold one race each. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
