Ferrari engineering director Pat Fry has confirmed that new developments for the team’s 2015 machine will be tested on its current F14 T challenger during the final stretch of the 2014 season.
The Scuderia has once again been mired in mediocrity this season as former World Champions Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen have struggled to overcome the deficiencies of the F14 T.
Between the pair, they’ve gone winless and have only been able to collect two podiums – both of them coming from the Spaniard.
“At this stage of the season, the focus in the factory is shifting more towards next year’s car,” Fry told Ferrari’s website. “However, there is still quite a lot we can learn from track testing, therefore we will be bringing some specific test components for next year and other developments for the F14 T, which will help our understanding for next year.”
Ferrari endured a disastrous weekend on its home ground of Monza two weekends ago, with Raikkonen finishing ninth and Alonso forced to bow out early due to an ERS failure.
But with the high-speed Monza out of the way, Fry believes the team will be up for better performances on Singapore’s winding Marina Bay Street Circuit.
“It’s a street circuit requiring very high downforce, where we will be running the soft and super-soft tires on a track with similar characteristics to Monaco,” he said.
“There are hardly any high speed corners and only two turns that have combined lateral and longitudinal acceleration and therefore, the challenge is more about straight line acceleration and good traction.”
However, Singapore’s hot climate and track layout could thwart Fry and Ferrari’s hopes by way of mechanical problems.
“Even though it’s a night race, the temperatures are still very high, in the [80s and 90s], which puts heavy demands on the cooling systems for the engine and the ERS,” Fry said.
“In addition, the start-stop nature of the layout puts a high loading on the brake systems, with the front brakes in particular taking a real pounding.”
See if Ferrari puts up a more competitive showing under the lights in Singapore this Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra.