Scuderia Ferrari Preview 2020: The Formula One 2020 season is just around the corner, the Sportsrush will preview the most iconic team in F1.
The F1 drivers will see the green light at Austria on the first weekend of July 2020. It has been more than 200 days since these monster speedsters took on the tarmac with their cars.
Ferrari is preparing to forget the disappointment of the last decade and mount a fresh, strong challenge this season. They have been in the sport and dominated since the 1950s, but last won a Constructors Championship in 2008.
The SF1000 – How good (or bad) is it?
Ferrari launched their new car, the SF1000, which looks very similar to their 2019 car, the SF 90. But there are quite a few technical changes between the two.
At the front, the nose appears longer and has wider air inlets. The SF1000 also appears to have a lower suspension setup with a relocated pushrod system. The pushrod-pull system is used in F1 cars to lower the centre of gravity and maximise efficiency.
The S-duct, which is used to suck dirty air from the car ahead, now sits at a higher angle when compared to the S90. This has been done to minimize aerodynamic irregularities and maximise engine performance.
Binotto had an explanation for it. “It may look similar to last year’s, but it’s completely different. We have been as extreme on the concept as we could, to look for the maximum aerodynamic performance first.”
The performance so far hasn’t been too promising, though. They lagged behind in testing, and Red Bull looked stronger than them. Racing Point, popularly known as “Pink Mercedes”, may also pose a strong challenge to them.
In spite of this, experts are confident of a good showing by the SF1000. Italian journalist Leo Turrini had this to say – “The tests won’t tell us anything, we know that top teams will hide their real power. But this car should have everything to fight for the title against Mercedes and Red Bull.”
Former racing driver Jacques Villeneuve told Sky Sports Italia that he is happy with the SF10. “Well, first of all, it’s wonderful, it’s really a nice car. If it’s as fast as it is nice then Ferrari will win the title this year.”
What to expect of Ferrari in 2020?
It won’t be easy for the Italian outfit, now known as Scuderia Ferrari. Scuderia means ‘stable’ in Italian. Ferrari are anything but stable going into this season.
Their pre-season testing has not gone as per plan and all the straight-line speed they had last season has wavered. On top of that, Sebastian Vettel has been told that 2020 is his last season with Ferrari. So, blunders or poor team communication like last season or worse wouldn’t be a surprise.
Notwithstanding the weaknesses, Ferrari have it in them to spring a surprise. The ‘Prancing Horses’ have a legendary driver in Sebastian Vettel, who can turn up on any given day. Whereas, his partner, Charles Leclerc, won the most poles last season, beating Lewis Hamilton to it.
The shortened season could also work in Ferrari’s favour. Last season, they performed strongly at Austria, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Russia. All these European nations are confirmed (or should be) confirmed to host race(s) this season.
Ferreri tested the SF1000 at the historic Maranello circuit, a first after over 50 years. They look confident, and the early testing with their 2020 car could give them an added advantage when racing resumes. Ferrari is anyway traditionally better in actual racing than in pre-season testing.
https://twitter.com/Charles_Leclerc/status/1273481201706250240?s=20
All in all, it is going to be a very intriguing season for Ferrari. They have high ambitions, as should be the case, but their recent season performances haven’t justified it.
They will face extreme competition from Mercedes and Red Bull Racing. Interestingly, these are the only two teams which have had a sustained level of dominance since Ferrari won in 2008. The top 3 positions are expected to be shared by these giants. Expect a lot of brilliant duels for the ‘podium’, even though there would be no podium celebrations, in lieu of social distancing measures.
A lot of intra-team rivalries is expected, none more than between Sebastian and Charles. The former is a multiple world champion; the latter has ambitions of emulating his prolific teammate. Expect sparks to fly, with both looking to overtake each other, on and off the tarmac. Mattia Binotto and his crew wouldn’t mind it, as long as they beat the rest of the speed-packed teams.
The Tifosi have waited for over a decade to bring their red brigade to witness them lifting the Constructors Championship. It looks difficult this season, but with Scuderia Ferrari, you never say never.
