Lack of performance by the electric motors, excessive drag and bad aerodynamic and probably mechanical balance…
by Spyros Pettas
The problem that cannot be solved is the lack of power of the electric motors, unless Ferrari makes changes in order to ensure better reliability (performance changes are prohibited), but the engines' reliability seems to be OK at the moment… Ferrari didn't make in time to homologate a more powerful power unit (because of the Covid-19 situation) and now it's stuck with this one...
The thermal motor is top with 840 bhp, but KERS (MGU-K) and ERS (MGU-H) lack dramatically because of the continuous directives imposed by the Fia and… Ferrari itself. The directive regarding the second gas flowmeter , especially, cost a lot.
Regarding aerodynamics and suspension kinetics, there is a bad balance, something that has been seen in the first race in Austria and the one in Hungary. Not so visible aero changes fixed the problem partially. Ferrari's aerodynamicists removed wings from the central part of the car for lower drag and put new floors with more complex designs (more slots etc.). A new front wing resembling that of Red Bull was deployed too. Contrary to much hype there has been no change in the basic aero layout (wide nose and filosophy that tends to more outwash). There must be also a block regarding internal aerodynamics and that has to do with the way parts like the intercooler and radiators were put. It's important to note that Ferrari people designed this car baring in mind that the 2020 power unit would be an improval of the 2019 super motor, but that wasn't the case, thus the much drag...
Beside that, the changes in 2021 rules (less floor and ban of its' designs) do not help either…
Tough times for the Scuderia as John Elkan predicted…
A good thing is the renewed trust in key figures of the 2017-2019 design team like the very capable Enrico Cardile…
Stay tuned...