GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Ferrari target McLaren

Ferrari target McLaren

Italian team eye 2012 but still chasing victories this year

Last Updated: September 21, 2011 1:10pm

Ferrari: updated rear wing in Singapore

Ferrari have set their sights on catching McLaren in the constructors' championship now that the 2011 titles have been all but secured by Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull.

Team principal Stefano Domenicali has already confirmed that the Scuderia have finished development on this year's 150º Italia and will instead focus on their 2012 challenger.

The Italian squad, though, have made it clear that they won't stop challenging for victories during the final six grands prix of the season and also plan to use the races to test "some elements" for next year's car.

"The Prancing Horse is trailing second placed McLaren by 71 points in the Constructors' Championship and catching the English team is a mathematical possibility," a statement on the Ferrari website read.

"In addition, the remaining races will also provide a very useful test bed for some elements that could be used on the 2012 car."

Ferrari also revealed that they will head to the Marina Bay Circuit for the Singapore Grand Prix with an updated rear wing.

Attention

"While next year's car is now the main focus of attention for the designers, this year's 150º Italia will be sporting a few aero updates, mainly around the rear wing; these modifications having been planned before the aero department switched its attention entirely to next year.

"That rear wing and the front one too, will be set for maximum downforce for this street circuit, which runs at an average speed higher than its more famous relative in Monaco. While there are similarities between the two harbour venues, including the obvious fact the barriers are very close to the track and the surface is extremely bumpy, there are differences too.

"The most obvious one is the heat and humidity which in Singapore are among the highest encountered all year. Even with the night time start, this is a tough race for the drivers to cope with, especially as it tends to run right up to the two hour limit imposed in the F1 regulations."

Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)