2020 Ferrari 'faster in the corners and slower on the straights'

Ferrari

2020 Ferrari 'faster in the corners and slower on the straights'

Ferrari yet to reveal their true pace as pre-season testing nears a close

Sam Hall

Thursday 27 February 2020 09:48

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says that Ferrari have worked to improve on their aerodynamic deficiencies compared to Formula 1 rivals Mercedes over the winter break.

Slow speed corners were a problem for Ferrari in 2019 and Binotto confirms that the Scuderia have focused their attentions on this area.

"The car of this season is faster in the corners and slower on the straights, which was an objective when we designed this car," said Binotto.

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"Last season we were too slow in the corners so we tried to put as much downforce as we could in the car to be as fast as possible in the corners, but now we are paying off a bit on the straights.

"And in terms of overall balance, in slow-speed corners there is something we need to improve."

The team principal also confirmed that Ferrari have yet to show anything close to their true pace, adding, "We know exactly where we want to go and what are our objectives. We are very focused. Winter testing may not show the right level of performance and it is very early days to judge. The season is very long."

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Sebastian Vettel, having answered questions over his Formula One future, said that the improvements in cornering are noticeable on the track.

"We feel the improvements, so where is it improving? Obviously, in the corners," said Vettel. "Down the straight it is very difficult to tell. A lot of stuff, all of the work is based around the corners, just trying to get the feel and test different setup items.

"The car is a step forward, so probably around here, I think in high speed corners - turn three, turn nine - it just feels a lot more comfortable through there, and then for the rest of the track we can feel there's a bit more grip."