Ferrari now working flat-out on ‘innovative’ 2012 car

Ferrari has admitted the development of its 2011 car is "almost at the end of the road" as it switches its attention to its "very innovative" 2012 challenger.

This weekend's Belgian Grand Prix will be round 12 of 19 this season, but with Ferrari and its drivers some way off the title leaders Red Bull, team principal Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that the team is winding down its development of the 150§ Italia. However, he is convinced the 2011 Ferrari will still be quick enough to challenge for more victories this season after taking its first win three races ago at Silverstone.

"Our realistic goal for the remaining eight grands prix is to win races, to score as many points as possible," he told Ferrari's website. "I am sure we can achieve good results, but we should avoid looking at the classification, because we know the championship will be very difficult given the current gap, but let's see where it is in a few races. We have the potential to do well and we have to believe in ourselves.

"In terms of the development of the 150§ Italia, we are almost at the end of the road but this does not mean that work on this year's car has come to a complete halt, but as of now, we are working full throttle on the 2012 car."

Domenicali believes many of the lessons learnt from the 2011 car can be applied to the 2012 project, but insists Ferrari is determined to break the mould in order to start the season with a strong package.

"As far as next year's regulations are concerned, apart from rules regarding the exhaust system, there are not many changes, therefore the new cars can be described as a development of the 2011 car," he said. "However, what I can say, having seen the model in the wind tunnel and the work going on in the drawing office, is that it will be a very innovative machine. In fact, this is to be expected, this is necessary given that our first goal is that, in 2012, we must be competitive right from the very start of the season." ESPN.com