As McLaren, the Maranello-based team had encountered several reliability issues throughout the last 3 testing sessions this off-season. With no more testing days until the season opener in Melbourne, the key aspect of Ferrari’s development during the next 2 weeks will be setting up the small details that will make the F60 more reliable in 2009.
“Over the last days I've been to Barcelona to follow the last stages of the test sessions and I've seen a very concentrated and determined team. We're satisfied with the level of our car as far as the performance is concerned. It's obvious that we still have some work to do and that we have to concentrate on its reliability,” said Domenicali.
He insisted reliability is a must in 2009, especially since some of the point-losing performances last year were linked to engine failures (Massa’s bad luck in Hungary is proof enough). Also, with the introduction of new technologies in F1, such as the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, the chances of something going wrong during a race are higher than in the previous years.
“Last year we've seen how important reliability and the smallest details are. We have to work much harder in this direction,” added Domenicali, who was also very admirative of Brawn GP’s outstanding performances during the last group test at Jerez.
“Until a couple of days ago there was a great equilibrium between the different teams - some expected and some a bit less - and then there was Brawn GP's exploit; their performance was incredibly surprising and they have to be watched with care. We think that we're part of the more competitive teams, but there are still many unknown factors to consider. We have to wait for Melbourne to get the answers,” concluded Domenicali.
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