Ferrari chief slams critics for making snap judgments

Stefano Domenicali

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali believes it would be unwise for critics to make snap judgments with regard to the new-look Formula One.

The sport embarked on a new era at the first pre-season test in Jerez last week as a different sound was heard with the arrival of the 1.6-litre turbo-charged powertrains, while the cars were also markedly altered visually given the shape of the noses and rear wings.

Understandably there were a number of unkind comments, not just from observers, but also those within the sport such as supremo Bernie Ecclestone who described the events at Jerez where several cars broke down as “a total farce".

But suggesting a degree of caution was required, Domenicali said: “We are definitely on the eve of a new era in this sport.

“As usual when there are such radical changes, it’s best not to rush to make any premature judgment and in our opinion, the new technologies are really fascinating.

“They also represent a challenge which Ferrari, as a car constructor, has welcomed because of the technology transfer it will ensure across all activities of our company."

Domenicali was also encouraged by the start made by the new car, the F14T, with Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen at the wheel.

Only Mercedes managed to complete more miles in Jerez, to the delight of Domenicali who said: “They were four very demanding and important days to give us something to work on over the coming days in Maranello."

Speaking to Ferrari’s official website, Domenicali added: “The technical parameters of the car, as well as the aerodynamic validation we saw on track, match our expectations and provide a solid starting point, which we must now exploit as much as possible.

“I was also very pleased to see, even if it was hardly a surprise, how our drivers worked in harmony and that they have already provided excellent feedback relating to the development of the car.

“We can’t evaluate performance levels at the moment, neither that of the car, nor those of our rivals.

“The important thing is to do as many laps as possible to give our engineers the data they need to continue with the development of the car. It would be premature to make any precise evaluations.

“What counts for more is to have clear ideas on what we must do now and on the direction to take, so that we arrive in Melbourne (for the first grand prix in Australia in mid-March) in the best possible shape."