Ferrari: No More Wet Woes

From ITV-F1.com

Ferrari is confident that there will be no repeat of its recent lack
of competitiveness in the wet should rain hit this weekend’s Singapore
Grand Prix.

Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen struggled for pace when rain fell in
Britain, Belgium and Italy, and with inclement conditions highly
possible at all four remaining venues, Ferrari feared that this problem
could prove critical in the ultra-close title battle.

But when rain struck the team’s scheduled test day at Mugello last
Friday, Ferrari was able to devote special efforts to its wet set-up,
and now reckons it has got to the bottom of the issue.

Ferrari discovered that its set-up was preventing the drivers from
generating sufficient brake temperature – particularly when in traffic
and just after taking on intermediate tyres – and this consequently
stopped them from getting enough heat into their Bridgestone tyres.

Ferrari
is confident that there will be no repeat of its recent lack of
competitiveness in the wet should rain hit this weekend’s Singapore
Grand Prix.

Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen struggled for pace when rain fell in
Britain, Belgium and Italy, and with inclement conditions highly
possible at all four remaining venues, Ferrari feared that this problem
could prove critical in the ultra-close title battle.

But when rain struck the team’s scheduled test day at Mugello last
Friday, Ferrari was able to devote special efforts to its wet set-up,
and now reckons it has got to the bottom of the issue.

Ferrari discovered that its set-up was preventing the drivers from
generating sufficient brake temperature – particularly when in traffic
and just after taking on intermediate tyres – and this consequently
stopped them from getting enough heat into their Bridgestone tyres. The team now believes the problem is solved.

"The result of set up work carried out at Mugello means that a
situation similar to the one in Monza should not be repeated," said a
team statement.

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali thinks that the Mugello test has left the team in excellent shape for the decisive races.

"We come to Singapore on the back of a profitable three day test
which saw us make progress with the F2008 package that should ensure we
are competitive at the highest level over the remaining four races," he
said.

"The fight for the two titles will be very close."

He again hinted that team orders would be imposed to ensure Ferrari
wrapped up both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles, with Raikkonen
likely to have to defer to Massa.

"At the Maranello launch of the California (road car), Kimi and
Felipe met President (Luca di) Montezemolo, who made it very clear
that, as usual Ferrari’s simple target come the end of the season is to
win both titles," Domenicali said.
"Both drivers will be working towards this target over the remaining
four races, knowing that, as always for the Scuderia, the good of the
team comes first."

That can only be good news. If what the team, including Kimi, have said is true then we can be optimistic for a result we’ve longed for months this weekend. With Kimi finally with a smile on the podium. You can catch some shots of a happy Kimi already though – there are photos of Kimi at the Abu Dhabi event he was at yesterday, posted in the forum.