More aggressive radical design for Ferrari 2017 F1 car?

[John S]

Looks like it says Franco Nugnes of Motorsport.com.

  -  and it's all due to their new 'Old secret weapon', Rory Byrne. 

"there are already whispers that Ferrari – under Byrne’s watchful eye – has found solutions that come from clever interpretation of the rules." is a telling phrase in the article. The old fox Byrne may be about to do it again.     


Legendary Formula 1 designer Rory Byrne’s return to Ferrari had been kept low profile for months, but his presence alongside Jock Clear at the Autosport Awards showed he is very much part of the family now.

The 72-year-old – who was chief designer during the dominant Michael Schumacher era – is now dividing his time between Ferrari and Thailand, where he has devoted himself to his passion of underwater fishing.

Having been recalled in a consultancy role earlier this year, Byrne has been working closely with Simone Resta on Ferrari’s 2017 car – codenamed the 688 – on what sources say are the development of concepts that go to the limit of regulatory interpretations.

It is an aggressive approach that Ferrari has not been so keen to pursue in recent years, whereas rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes have always been keen to push things to the limit of the rules in their quest for success.

One example is the way Mercedes incorporated hydraulic front suspension through exploiting regulations that were intended to help Manor run a year-old car in 2015.

But with new regulations coming next year – which are expected to deliver a laptime improvement of five seconds – there is talk that technical director Mattia Binotto’s efforts are paying off.
                                           
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In Maranello there is said to be some optimism about progress, because the car that is emerging is in line with expectations. However, that does not mean that Ferrari is definitely on course to produce a race-winning car – as that will depend on what Mercedes and Red Bull do – but it means the numbers from the simulators and windtunnel are encouraging.

Inside the racing department, there is understood to be a feeling that the team ‘must’ get back on top, and a quiet confidence it is working towards that target. But can Ferrari under Binotto really churn out ideas that will be necessary to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull?

We will only know for sure during the first winter tests when the cars are unleashed in Barcelona, but there are already whispers that Ferrari – under Byrne’s watchful eye – has found solutions that come from clever interpretation of the rules.

If true, it means the new Ferrari should have a more aggressive approach to its 2017 design than we saw with the SF16-H.

And was there a hidden motive behind the decision by Ferrari to challenge the FIA over the Mexico penalty for Sebastian Vettel? Was it trying to find out how far it can go in pushing the regulations and how the governing body would respond to a challenge – ahead of some interpretations that may raise the eyebrows of rival engineers on its new car?

(Extracts from longer piece) courtesy Franco Nugnes, master.motorsport.com, Sun 11th Dec.   

[cosworth151]

With all of the major changes coming nest season, there should be opportunities to "game" the rules next season. Byrne is a master of doing just that. It wouldn't surprise me if Mercedes & Red Bull have a few tricks in store, too.

[Steve A.]

Lots of tricks,  followed by lots of objections,  then lots of changes.  Could be an interesting start to the season.  Waiting to see who comes up with the best and keeps theirs hidden the longest. 

[BraydenSoh]

Would be interesting if they can build a car that can compete with Mercs. I am getting sick & tired of watching a team dominating from the start till the end of the season
!

[lkjohnson1950]

Remember when McLaren tried a radical approach. They haven't really been competitive since.

[Jericoke]

Remember when McLaren tried a radical approach. They haven't really been competitive since.

McLaren's main issues have been off track distractions.  Certainly there is a long list of failed 'radical' ideas, but there are plenty of successful rule benders, like Brawn's diffuser, or Red Bull's flexible - but not THAT flexible - front wings.

[John S]

Would be interesting if they can build a car that can compete with Mercs. I am getting sick & tired of watching a team dominating from the start till the end of the season
!

Yeah it's so much worse than seeing Red Bull & Vettel dominating year after year.   

[lkjohnson1950]

Or Schumacher Ferrari

 

[John S]

Or Schumacher Ferari

 

So true Lonny, however Lon is probably to young to recall Schumi's utter annihilation of the rest. 

[Dare]

Lon's a Kimi fan.....youngest person on our site likes
the oldest driver .I 'used not like Kimi but he's my favorite
driver now

[Ian]

While the Ferrari in Schumy's era was good it was mainly down to Michael's input and his skill, whereas Mercedes dominance is mainly down to the car.

[John S]

While the Ferrari in Schumy's era was good it was mainly down to Michael's input and his skill, whereas Mercedes dominance is mainly down to the car.

Hear, Hear!     Well said that man. 

[F1fanaticBD]

The reason for Red Bull's aero development is their ability to work in an innovative manner, along with some goodies  Mercedes where clever to design their own engine, which made them unstoppable for the last 3 years.

Lets see what Ferrari has to offer. Rory Byrne may be the solution but it does not means instant success. They need to come up with something better than the others, that will ensure success

[Jericoke]

While the Ferrari in Schumy's era was good it was mainly down to Michael's input and his skill, whereas Mercedes dominance is mainly down to the car.

There were many moving pieces that put the Schumacher era Ferraris on top.  Schumacher was an important part, one of the best testers I've ever seen, but it was a team effort.

Lewis and Nico, by the way the rules are, have less to contribute to car development than Schumacher ever did.  It's unfair to compare on that level.  I think that both Nico and Lewis would love to test F1 cars on the schedule that Schumacher did, and have an evolutionary machine truly tailored to them.

[cosworth151]

One other factor with the Schumi era: It was Ferrari winning all the time.  There are many, many fans who are more than happy to see that.