| Circuit | Suzuka |
| Date | 05.10.2014 |
| Laps | 44 – Race stopped due to the accident of Jules Bianchi and bad weather |
| Distance | 255,208 km / 158,612 miles |
| No | Driver | Ferrari | S/N | Team | Result |
| 7 | Kimi Raikkonen | F14 T | 308 | Scuderia Ferrari | 12. |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | F14 T | 307 | Scuderia Ferrari | retired / electrics |
Japanese GP – A sad Sunday in Suzuka
Posted: 05.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Marco Mattiacci: “For our team, this weekend was unfortunately characterized by reliability problems, yesterday on Kimi’s car and today on Fernando’s. With Kimi, we paid the price for not having been able to get his car configured as well as possible in the third free practice session. That meant he suffered with balance problems throughout the race. Today, with Fernando, we had a bit more of a chance and what happened today just underlines the fact that we must improve the car. However, at the moment, all this is of secondary importance and all our thoughts are only with Jules Bianchi.”
Fernando Alonso: “It was a real shame losing the opportunity to take part in this race because, with nothing to lose in terms of the championship, I could have taken a few more risks and maybe aimed for the podium. I still don’t know what caused the unfortunate technical problem, only that suddenly, the car lost all its electrics, maybe down to a short circuit caused by the rain. Now, in the four remaining races, the priority is still to pick up as many points as possible, because we are still aiming for third place in the Constructors’ classification. On that front, it could be good that we can count on using this engine which did hardly any distance today, thus not having to use a new one which would mean starting one of the remaining races from the pit lane. However, the only good news we want right now relates to Jules Bianchi. I hope that we hear very soon that he’s alright.”
Kimi Raikkonen: “Overall, this was a very disappointing weekend. I had set-up problems right from the first day and again today in the race I didn’t manage to drive the way I would have liked. After the start behind the Safety Car, the track conditions were pretty atrocious and visibility was very poor, but my car was handling okay. Then, when the rain eased, I fitted the Intermediate tyres, but after a few laps, they were no longer up to temperature and they began to give me problems at the front end, which meant I had to slow down. Now, we will try and resolve this problem as quickly as possible and aim to improve, starting with the very next race, but more importantly right now, let’s hope we get some good news about Jules Bianchi soon.”
Pat Fry: “It’s disappointing to finish the weekend without scoring points, but our biggest concern tonight is what happened to Jules Bianchi. We still don’t know much but it looked very serious. As for our race, Fernando’s only lasted a couple of laps, probably because of a problem with the electrical system, however we will need to wait until we have the car back for confirmation. Kimi’s main problem was graining on the front tyres. At the pit stop he lost valuable time because of a problem with the front right, but even without that, I think his finishing position wouldn’t have been that much different. Today’s conditions were definitely not easy and what happened here highlights just how important it is to work on the reliability of the car.”
| Race | ||||||
| Pos. | Time | Gap | Laps | FL | L | |
| ALONSO | NC | 6:19.243 | DNF | 2 | – | – |
| Pit-stop | 1st stop | Lap 2 | New Extreme Wet | |||
| RAIKKONEN | 12th | 1:51:49.838 | + 1 lap | 437..111 | 1.52.426 | 36 |
| Pit-stop | 1st stop | Lap 2 | New Extreme Wet | |||
| 2nd stop | Lap 11 | New Intermediate | ||||
| 3rd stop | Lap 23 | New Intermediate | ||||
| 4th stop | Lap 34 | Old Extreme Wet | ||||
| Weather: air 19/20 °C, track 23/32 °C. Rain | ||||||
Japanese GP – A lap of Suzuka with Kimi and Fernando
Posted: 04.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 4 October – Suzuka is one of the most spectacular tracks of the season, one of the most complicated and, as a result, a real favourite with the drivers. Here, the abilities of car and driver are put to the test, from the fast “esses” to the long straights and the two demanding braking zones at the hairpin and the final chicane, the scene of many controversial incidents in the past.
Both Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso have won here at Suzuka and are therefore well used to the characteristics of this track. The Ferrari licensee, Carrera, leader in the production of the latest generation of electric racing tracks, had the idea of giving the two drives the opportunity to “try” the track on a layout put up with in the Logistics building in Maranello, with a miniature model of the Japanese track. With help from their respective performance engineers – Edoardo Brosco for Fernando and Giuliano Salvi for Kimi – the two men battled it out in an exciting taster of what they can expect when the tackle the race for real tomorrow, Sunday.
Japanese GP – Welcome back Hiroshi
Posted: 04.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Suzuka, 4 October – Back marshaling at Suzuka this weekend is Hiroshi Honda, who was injured in an accident at the second round of last season’s Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific series at this track. Along with fellow marshals, here working at the fifteenth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, Hiroshi received gifts from Ferrari’s Director of Racing Activity, Antonello Coletta, before posing for a group photo in front of the Scuderia Ferrari garage.
Japanese GP – The track never lies
Posted: 04.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Fernando Alonso: “I’ve often ended up fifth in qualifying, but I think that today’s result can be seen in a different light as I enjoyed myself a lot out on track, both in the quick parts and the slower ones. So far, this weekend has been very positive as I had a good feeling from the car right from the first lap of free practice. Unfortunately, the typhoon expected tomorrow is creating a bit of tension, because over the past two days, we haven’t done any wet running and having to do the opening lap of the race itself in the rain always complicates matters. Currently, we don’t know how much rain we can expect, so all we can do is prepare for a difficult race, because Suzuka is a circuit where, even in the dry, incidents can occur and it’s easy to make mistakes. I think that later today, the race director might take a decision regarding this, with the possibility of bringing the race forward.”
Kimi Raikkonen: “Today’s performance was in line with the whole weekend so far and even if I’ve had a good feeling from the car, I was unable to resolve a few problems already encountered on Friday. In the morning’s free practice, a technical problem meant I had to stop running earlier than planned and that prevented us from testing some new components, which would have been useful for the set-up choice. The team did a great job to get my car ready for qualifying in record time. In the first sector, I had a few balance problems and that stopped me pushing as hard as I wanted. I did my best today and tomorrow we will try and make up some places and have a good race.”
Pat Fry: “Today was particularly tough, starting with the third free practice session, when we had to pit Kimi, having spotted an anomaly on his power unit. Qualifying was reasonably straightforward, especially for Fernando, who finished fifth in all three sessions. The Williams proved to have both good power and aerodynamic downforce, but that won’t stop us trying to attack them. The Red Bull performance was surprising but one cannot discount them at this track. Unfortunately, the problem on Kimi’s car meant we couldn’t optimise the balance on his car, which is so important at this track, but the mechanics did a really amazing job. In just two hours they managed to dismantle and reassemble the car, configuring a new power unit, so that he could take part in qualifying. Tomorrow, a typhoon is forecast and so we will need to adapt to whatever conditions arise, because the result of the race is not a foregone conclusion.”
| ALONSO – Chassis 307 | Raikkonen – Chassis 308 | |||||
|
Q1 |
P5 |
1:34.497 |
New Hard – 4 laps | P7 |
1:34.984 |
New Hard – 4 lapsNew Medium – 3 laps |
|
Q2 |
P5 |
1:33.675 |
New Medium – 3 lapsNew Medium – 3 laps |
P9 |
1:34.771 |
New Medium – 3 lapsNew Medium – 3 laps |
|
Q3 |
P5 |
1:33.740 |
New Medium – 3 lapsNew Medium – 3 laps |
P10 |
1:34.548 |
New Medium – 3 laps |
| Weather: 26 °C, track 37 °C. Sunny | ||||||
Japanese GP – Rows 3 and 5 for Scuderia Ferrari
Posted: 04.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Suzuka, 4 October–Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen will start tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix from the third and fifth rows respectively. At the wheel of their F14 Ts, Fernando was fifth fastest, while Kimi had to settle for tenth, paying the price of lost track time because of technical glitches in Free Practice 3.
Fernando made it through Q1 in a comfortable fifth place, while Kimi had to use a set of Mediums which meant he couldn’t count on them for Q3. Everything went smoothly for both men in Q2 with Fernando fifth again and Kimi ninth. In the final shoot-out, all the drivers except Kimi did two runs on the Medium. Fernando’s first lap was a 1.33.858, which he then improved on, getting down to 1.33.740, to take yet another fifth place. On his only flying lap, Kimi did a 1.34.548.
Pole position went to Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes with a 1.32.506, while his team-mate Lewis Hamilton was second. The second row features the Williams duo of Bottas and Massa, while Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) starts alongside Alonso. On the fourth row, we find the McLarens of Magnussen and Button, followed by Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) alongside Raikkonen. The race starts at 3pm (08h00 CET.)
Japanese GP – Mixed fortunes for Scuderia Ferrari
Posted: 04.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Suzuka, 4 October–Scuderia Ferrari had mixed fortunes in the third free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso was third fastest, while Kimi Raikkonen’s session came to a premature end with a technical problem.
Fernando completed a total of 12 laps, the best in a time of 1.34.439, set on the Medium tyres, the softer of the two Pirelli compounds in use here. Kimi however only managed five laps before stopping with a problem that meant the team changed the power unit as a precautionary measure prior to qualifying. His best time, set on Hard tyres, was a 1.35.995, good enough for 12th fastest come the end of the 60 minutes. Ahead of Fernando were the Mercedes duo of Nico Rosberg with a 1.33.228 and Lewis Hamilton in 1.34.210. Qualifying starts at 2pm (07h00 CET.)
Japanese GP – Question over the weather
Posted: 03.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Fernando Alonso: “It’s always nice running at Suzuka, as it’s one of the circuits that provides the most driving pleasure and where the enthusiasm of the fans is really fantastic. Despite the many interruptions to the second session, today we managed to complete almost our entire planned programme without any problems, working on race set-up for both dry and wet conditions. At the moment, the uncertain weather forecast makes it impossible to take any decision, even when it comes to tyre choice. Here, compared to other tracks, the difference between the two compounds is minimal and their performance level is very similar.”
Kimi Raikkonen: “Today wasn’t easy and the lack of grip from the track surface, especially in the morning, didn’t help. This is a fast and tough track, very demanding for both car and driver. In the first practice session, on the Hard tyres, we concentrated on testing different set-ups aimed at qualifying and the race, then in the afternoon, we made some changes which brought a partial improvement to the handling of the car. But because of the yellow flags and a technical glitch, I only managed to complete just one good run on the Medium tyres. Now we have a full night’s work ahead of us in order to find a set-up that will allow us to get the car to suit any sort of condition.”
Pat Fry: “Suzuka is one of the nicest and most complex circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, with every corner representing a challenge. Therefore it’s very important to find a set-up that gives the drivers as much confidence as possible. In the first session, we worked on the balance of the car, trying to adapt to the low grip levels, while the second session was spoiled by several yellow and red flags and we didn’t manage to make the most of the time available to work on our programme. Suzuka is also one of the most demanding tracks for the tyres, which are put under a lot of pressure by the series of consecutive corners and the heavy lateral loads which never allow for a moment’s rest, from Spoon to the 130R. Today, it’s difficult to assess the order behind the two Mercedes, but we will have to pay very close attention to the weather, because the forecast is changing all the time and at the moment it seems it’s going to play its part.”
Japanese GP – Weather worries
Posted: 03.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Suzuka, 3 October – There is no such thing as a “normal” day at Suzuka, because this 5.807 kilometre long track presents so many difficult yet fascinating challenges. But in as much as everything proceeded quite smoothly in the Scuderia Ferrari camp, this could be seen as a normal Friday, during which both drivers felt they had got off on the right foot. Apart from a small technical glitch on Kimi Raikkonen’s car, both F14 Ts were trouble free as the Finn and team-mate Fernando Alonso reacquainted themselves with this unusual figure-of-eight layout. What did upset the Ferrari programme was the misfortune of others, as crashes and mechanical breakdowns led to more than usual yellow and even red flags being waved, to stop the action while cars were towed away. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Caterham’s Kamui Kobayashi had the most dramatic accidents, fortunately without injury for either man.
At the end of the day, the Finn was sixth fastest, having completed a total of 38 laps, while the Spaniard was seventh with 45 laps to his name.
At the front of the Friday “grid” we find the usual Mercedes duo, Nico Rosberg having topped the time sheet in FP1 and championship leader Lewis Hamilton fastest in the afternoon. Between these pair and Kimi in FP2 came the Williams of Valtteri Bottas, with Jenson Button fourth for McLaren and Sebastian Vettel fifth for Red Bull Racing.
As has often been the case in Japan, the weather is the main talking point at the moment, with Typhoon Phanfone due to hit mainland Japan with considerable force on Sunday and Monday. There has even been talk of changing the start time of the race, but at the moment, no decision has been made. Tomorrow’s qualifying is expected to be run in the dry.
Japanese GP – Scuderia Ferrari drivers sixth and seventh
Posted: 03.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Suzuka, 3 October–Kimi Raikkonen ended the second free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix having set the sixth fastest time of 1.36.529 this afternoon. Fernando Alonso was right behind him with a 1.36.637. The Finn completed 19 laps, while the Spaniard did 26.
Both Ferrari men did their quickest laps on the Medium tyre, which Pirelli has matched this weekend with the Hard. The afternoon saw Kimi and Fernando continue with the work of setting up the car, keen to acquire as much data as possible on a track that has proved yet again to be tricky and difficult to tackle, with several drivers going off the track.
Fastest was Lewis Hamilton with a 1.35.078, two and a half tenths quicker than Mercedes team-mate and rival Nico Rosberg. Next up was Valtteri Bottas (Williams,) followed by Jenson Button (McLaren) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull.)
Free practice 3 gets underway tomorrow at 11 am (04h00 CET) with qualifying at 2pm (07h00.)
A question of feeling
Posted: 02.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 2 October- “ I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Suzuka is my favourite circuit!” That’s what the Scuderia’s test driver, Pedro de la Rosa told www.ferrari.com about the Japanese track. “I’ve got a host of memories from Japan, because I raced there, moving up the ranks in many categories, winning the Formula 3 championship in 1995. I think the Japanese track is the hardest on the calendar. In Suzuka you only really touch the brake pedal at three points and then you need to use it as little as possible for the rest of it. The car has to literally dance through the corners at high speed and it’s not at all simple, given how narrow the track is. That’s what strike you most the first time you tackle Suzuka: the track is terribly quick and narrow at the same time.”
Under pressure. “For a driver, it’s a very difficult track,” continues Pedro. “You need to be extremely precise in how you tackle the kerbs at the quick corners, without compromising the next ones. You want plenty of front downforce to have a car that allows you to change direction quickly, something that’s essential at this track. Suzuka requires a special type of brake disc material, one that works well even at low temperatures: the brakes are used only a little and therefore it’s vital that the system operating the discs is not too cold.”
Overtaking on the limit. “Overtaking has always been very complicated at Suzuka,” concludes Pedro. “In the quick corners, the drivers tend to stay on the inside and to overtake, you have to take the risk of going round the outside, which is never ideal. Now, with DRS, there are a few more opportunities, but it’s still very difficult.”
Japanese GP – Raikkonen: “I believe 100% in the people at Ferrari”
Posted: 02.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Suzuka, 2 October – After the last race, Kimi Raikkonen stated he felt he and the team had turned a corner in how he felt at the wheel of the F14 T and today, in his regular press meeting, in the Suzuka paddock, the Ferrari man elaborated on that topic. “We have improved race by race and my feeling has improved, but it’s hard to be very specific about just why I felt better,” began the Finn. “In Singapore, we had some new parts and they helped, when combined with the tyres we were using and the characteristics of the circuit. It was probably the best feeling I’ve had from the car all year. It felt kind of easy to drive again. Once you get that, everything gets much easier and hopefully we keep going in this direction, with that improvement showing itself under all conditions.”
Kimi is now keen to build on this new found confidence in the car. “I knew it would take time, we made changes at the front end and the rear end too” he revealed. “It has helped the ride of the car, making it more to my liking. Singapore was the best it’s been all year and I knew what to expect in every corner. There are still a lot of areas where we can improve to get things the way I want, but it’s never been a case of not knowing what to do. It’s just that it takes time to change certain things. I have not had to change my driving style. Changing would not make me go any faster. I can drive around some issues, but I know that is never as good as fixing the issues. I’ve been in Formula 1 quite a few years and I have never changed my driving style, nor will I, because it’s not the way to fix problems.”
Kimi was equally positive when it came to looking ahead past the end of this season. “We have a good group of people at the factory and they have changed certain things to ensure that the mistakes which happened in the past years won’t happen anymore,” he said. “I believe a hundred percent in the people at Ferrari and the fact that we can turn it around and put the team where it should be, at the front of the field. As for myself, I have a contract and therefore no worries about my future.”
Japanese GP – Alonso: “Ferrari is the best team in the world”
Posted: 02.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Suzuka, 2 October – There are talks of a typhoon hitting Suzuka later this weekend, but it was just grey and damp this afternoon as Fernando Alonso had his usual meeting with the media in Scuderia Ferrari’s team hospitality tent.
In Singapore, the Scuderia Ferrari man was clearly upset at the rumours flying around about his future, but although the topic was the same today, the man from Oviedo seemed to actually quite enjoy sparring with the media: “You can ask the questions, but you cannot answer them for me,” he laughed when one journalist kept pushing him to say what were his future plans.
“I live for my job and I prepare myself from 1st January to 31st December and with Ferrari’s it’s special, because this is the best team in the world,” stated Fernando when asked to elaborate on his future options. “For five years, I have given my all on the track and the numbers show that. But off the track also my number one priority has been the team, doing the best for Ferrari. I live in the real world, so I am aware of all the rumours. But my first priority is working for the team, to help in the fight with Williams in the championship. My second priority is my future, but there is nothing new on this subject since last year, since July and now even in October there is no news. So, as I said earlier, I always put the interests of the team and of the tifosi and of this brand that is Ferrari and is bigger than any one of us, before my own interests.”
Pressed still further, the Ferrari man admitted that winning races and titles was still his priority. “I am a very competitive person and I want to win, which is something, I have wanted since I was ten years old and starting karting at a professional level. I want to win and am ready to maximise my performance at what I think is the best moment of my career. I hope I can get the benefit of this in the next few years, adding some titles, retiring with more than two. But you never know.”
Alonso brought his conference to a close with a statement that would not seem out of character in the works of the Japanese Samurai that he admires so much. “At the end of the day you have an idea in your mind and my mind is already set. I’ve been extremely lucky to choose where I drive in Formula 1, to choose my own future, which is not the norm. I will do my best, together with Ferrari’s best, taking the minimum risk.”
Kimi’s thoughts on Suzuka
Posted: 01.10.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 1 October – Kimi Raikkonen was in buoyant mood after the Singapore Grand Prix. The Scuderia Ferrari man’s good humour was down to the fact he felt he had made a significant step forward in getting his F14 T to behave the way he likes his racing cars to feel. “In Singapore, we finally had the speed to put together a quick single flying lap in qualifying, as the car behaved the way I’d been hoping for,” the Finn told www.ferrari.com. “It was just a shame we could not maximise the performance of the car because of a minor issue before the last flying lap. It meant we could not do much in the race, as I was stuck in traffic and couldn’t exploit my pace. But for me, the positive thing that weekend was I finally had a good feeling from the car, something I had been waiting for a long time this year.”
After the streets of Singapore, the Formula 1 circus heads for one of the classic venues and you don’t need to know much about Kimi Raikkonen to realise that Suzuka is just the sort of track he loves. “It’s a high power circuit, but also technically very challenging,” continues the Ferrari man. “So we are looking forward to see how our car goes there compared to the front running teams. I like Suzuka a lot. It’s an old-school type of racing circuit, the sort that always gives me the best feeling. I’d have to say my favourite is Spa-Francorchamps, but Suzuka comes very near in my ranking.”
The Finn has mainly positive memories of his nine appearances at Suzuka (the Japanese GP took place in Fuji in 2007 and ’08 and Kimi had his two year F1 sabbatical in 2010 and ’11.) “Apart from my first ever time in Japan and Suzuka, when I was driving for Sauber and had to retire after crashing with Alesi, I have finished every single race in Japan and I have got some really good results, as well. Winning the 2005 race was one of my best ever drives.”
Raikkonen has a huge fan base in Japan, something the Ferrari man really appreciates. “Driving the Suzuka track is one of the highlights of the season. And I also like meeting the fans there: they are very passionate and they always support you, no matter how the season has gone up to that point.” Apart from hopes of a good result for himself, Raikkonen knows how important the remaining races are for the Scuderia. “We need a good result in our fight for third place in the constructors’ championship. Let’s hope we get a nice clean weekend. That would help to keep the good feeling we so much want to maximise in Suzuka.”
Japanese GP – Allison: “To learn what lessons we can”
Posted: 30.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
It’s in Asia, it’s name starts with an “S,” and it also boasts a Big Wheel overlooking the track, but that’s where the similarities between Formula 1’s last appointment in Singapore and its next one in Suzuka begin and end.
While Singapore is a tricky, twisty street circuit, Suzuka is one of the finest examples of a true road course, with fast flowing turns, mixed in with a few idiosyncratic corners like the never-ending hairpin and the final chicane. “In Singapore, I think Mercedes probably had a bit more pace in hand, so that brought the front of the grid a bit closer together than normal,” says Scuderia Ferrari’s Technical Director, James Allison. “Also, it’s a track where the engine has a smaller effect compared with nearly all of the other tracks this year, so that provided another opportunity for the field to close up a bit. And finally, the nature of the corners at Singapore are also sensitive to the amount of mechanical grip that you can get from your package. That’s certainly an area where Ferrari has been working recently and it allowed us to have a rather better weekend.”
In another words, Japan is likely to be a more probing test for the F14 T. “Suzuka is a track where the importance of having horsepower is just a little bit less than the average for the year, so while power is not super important here, it’s not unimportant either,” continues Allison. “But it’s a track where a good handling chassis with a high amount of downforce is rewarded very strongly. Cars which score well on both those points will of course be right up at the front. But it gives some space to prosper to a car which is sweet handling and reasonable on downforce. Suzuka is one of the all-time great circuits, with some of the most challenging corners, one of the biggest tests of the car in the whole year, because it doesn’t just ask of the car that it can go well in the fast “S” complex in the first sector of the track, but there are also slow corners, long straights and all manner of ways to reveal the weakness of either the car or the driver. A team that comes back from Suzuka having done well knows that they are a good team with a strong package.” Tyre management will also play a key role as usual: because of the abrasive nature of the track surface, the long corners and the many rapid changes of direction, which generate a lot of lateral energy, Pirelli will be bringing its hardest compounds, the Hard and the Medium. Although not a deal breaker, the F14 T usually performs best on softer rubber.
As to the Scuderia’s goals for this weekend, our Technical Director reckons they are twofold. “We left Singapore with some satisfaction that areas we’d been working on the car, to improve its mechanical grip for example, appear to be paying off for us,” concludes the Englishman. “So we go to Suzuka and the remaining races determined to close the gap to Williams and then try and actually pull ahead of them, with the aim of securing a third place in the championship. We also plan to learn what lessons we can during the remainder of this season, to help guide us for the following year.”
Battle in the land of the Rising Sun
Posted: 29.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 29 September – This Sunday’s race will be the thirtieth Japanese Grand Prix. It has only been held at two circuits, at Fuji four times and Suzuka on 25 occasions. Ferrari has come out on top seven times, making for a 24% hit rate.
Starting on the wrong foot. Formula 1 made its Japanese debut in 1976 as the final race and it produced the key moment of the season. Niki Lauda had returned to racing in record time following his terrible accident at the Nurburgring and the Austrian had a three point lead over McLaren’s James Hunt. On the day of the race, a terrible downpour hit the Fuji track and Lauda chose to pull out after just two laps. Hunt had nothing to lose and carried on, eventually coming home third, which was good enough to give him the title by a single point.
The famous figure of eight. After one more race at Fuji, Japan dropped off the Formula 1 radar. Only in 1987, on the back of Honda’s success, did the Circus return to the Land of the Rising Sun, at the Suzuka track, owned by the Japanese car manufacturer, which boasted a famous figure-of-eight layout. The first race at its new home proved propitious for Ferrari, with Gerhard Berger taking the win in the F1-87.
The Senna-Prost era. For the next few years, Suzuka became one of the focal points of the title fight, with the battle featuring the same two protagonists, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. In 1988, Senna had a terrible getaway off the line, but then caught up with his French team-mate and passed him to take his first title. The following year, the two McLaren drivers collided at the final chicane and this time, the title went to Prost. Now, the differences between the two men were irreconcilable and Prost moved to Ferrari for 1990. There was a season-long entertaining head to head between the two archrivals, who arrived in Suzuka with the Brazilian enjoying a slight lead in the points. In order to keep his championship chances alive, Prost had to finish ahead of Senna, who had secured pole. At the start, the Frenchman got away first, but the Brazilian speared into Prost at the first corner, in revenge for the year before, much to the annoyance of the Ferrari fans.
Red dawn after the disappointments. At the end of the Nineties, the Scuderia was a contender once again in Suzuka, mainly due to the efforts of Michael Schumacher. In 1997, Jacques Villeneuve was disqualified, while Michael won, to go into the lead of the Championship, although it slipped from his grasp in the final race at Jerez. In 1998 and ’99 came two more disappointments for the Maranello team. In the former, Schumacher had to make up four points on Finland’s Mika Hakkinen in the McLaren. Michael took pole, but stalled the engine on the grid and had to start from the back. He fought his way up to third, but on lap 31, a tyre blew up, putting an end to his chase. The following year, it was Eddie Irvine who was in the hunt for the title, but again it went to Hakkinen. However, Ferrari was able to celebrate taking the Constructors’ title, its first since 1983. However, Scuderia Ferrari’s day of glory at Suzuka would come. On 8th October 2000, the Drivers’ title jinx, which dated back to 1979, was finally broken. It was down to Michael Schumacher who was crowned with one race to go. From then on, Suzuka was painted red: Michael and the Scuderia won in 2001, 2002 and 2004, and the title was also assigned in 2003, when the victory went to Rubens Barrichello.
Up to date. The Suzuka idyll ended in 2006, when Schumacher had just passed Fernando Alonso’s Renault to take the lead. The two men had arrived in Japan equal on points, with two races remaining. Unfortunately, the first engine failure since 2000 let the German down and hopes of an eighth title went with it. Suzuka had further disappointment in store for the Scuderia in 2012, when Fernando Alonso collided with Kimi Raikkonen’s Lotus and had to retire. Vettel won, to reignite his title charge on the Ferrari man. Both current Scuderia drivers have won in Japan: Fernando in 2006 and 2008 and Kimi in 2005, when he staged a remarkable fight up the order from 17th on the grid.
Festa della Passion for the MEF
Posted: 30.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Three weekends of fun for car enthusiasts
Maranello, 30th September – This November, the Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena plays host to La Festa delle Passioni, an event spread over three weekends and devoted to car enthusiasts of all kinds and more.
The event is being staged in collaboration with Maserati and organised by Passione Engadina AG, ACI Modena and the Modena City Council. It takes place over three weekends in November, each one of which will have a different theme linked to the car world. The weekends will centre around not just the Museum itself but also two other events, the Rally and Il Mercatino (market), the perfect combination to illustrate just how alive and well passion for cars is.
A hundred cars a day, both contemporary and historic, all sporting celebratory numbers and plates, will traverse the roads around Modena over the three weekends too. Participants will have to complete driving skills trials, games and other tests as well as following a specific route with the MEF as the finish. Just like a real regularity trial, the tests will be used to establish a classification. There will also be a prize-giving ceremony for the winners at the Museum on the afternoon of each day. You can enter and take part in the qualifying for the 100 places available at www.lafestadellepassioni.com. Entries are open to all – the only requirement is a valid driving licence. Each car will need and driver and a co-driver but there can be up to five people aboard (drivers included).
The rally and MEF visit aside, the Festa delle Passione will also host a “Mercatino” or market devoted entirely to car world items and merchandise. It is open to everyone: rally competitors, car enthusiasts and the merely curious. Every weekend, there will be different products and items on sale. The first weekend concentrates on model cars and simulators, the second on motoring publishing and memorabilia, and the third, because of its proximity to December, Christmas gifts for motoring enthusiasts.
For further information: www.lafestadellepassioni.com
Ferrari 458 Speciale A: a new record-breaking spider
Posted: 25.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
cars to celebrate our most successful, award-winning 8-cylinder model
Maranello, 25th September 2014 – Ferrari is pleased to announce the Paris Motor Show world debut of the 458 Speciale A (A as in Aperta). The new limited edition special series is a celebration of the dazzling success of the various versions of the 458, a model that has collected an array of international motoring media awards and track victories, not least a double WEC title and category wins in classic endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Dedicated to just 499 Ferrari collectors, the 458 Speciale A is the most powerful spider in Prancing Horse history, effortlessly marrying extreme performance with the sublime pleasure of drop-top driving. Its aluminium retractable hard top, which takes a mere 14 seconds to deploy or retract, helps reduce the weight difference with the Speciale coupé to just 50 kg.
The 458 Speciale A sports the most powerful naturally-aspirated road-going V8 engine ever built by Ferrari. It punches out a massive 605 cv (135 cv/l specific power output) and 540 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm yet only generates 275 g/km of CO2 emissions. The three international Best Performance Engine awards the V8 has won are acknowledged on a special plaque in the cockpit.
The new car sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds and has a Fiorano lap time of 1’23”5. These superb results are thanks in great part to its front and rear active aerodynamics, the rigidity of a chassis that incorporates 10 aluminium alloys, and Side Slip Angle Control (SSC) which guarantees unparalleled sporty driving in all conditions, underscored by the seductively exhilarating signature Ferrari soundtrack.
As is the case with all Prancing Horse cars, the 458 Speciale A’s sculpted forms are absolutely performance-oriented. In fact, a series of innovative and original bodywork solutions has made the 458 Speciale A the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever.
The 458 Speciale A is being premiered in a unique triple-layer yellow livery with a Blu Nart and Bianco Avus central stripe as well as five-spoke forged wheels in Grigio Corsa. The cockpit has a distinctive racing-inspired look: lightweight yet exclusive materials have been adopted throughout and, of course, crafted with Ferrari’s signature artisanal sophistication. This is particularly true of the finish of the dash, the moulded door panels and central tunnel in an exclusive blue carbon-fibre (also used for the treadplates) as well as the newly-designed seats in Alcantara© with contrasting stitching and 3D technical fabric.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SUMMARY
Engine
Type V8 – 90°
Total displacement 4497 cc
Max. power output 605 cv at 9000 rpm
Maximum torque 540 Nm at 6000 rpm
Weight
Dry weight 1340 kg
Weight-power ratio 2.21 kg/cv
Performance
0 – 100 km/h 3.0”
0 – 200 km/h 9.5”
Fiorano lap time 1’23”5
Emissions (ECE + EUDC combined cycle) CO2 emissions** 275 gr/km
**with HELE System
| Circuit | Circuit of the Americas – Austin – Texas |
| Date | 20.09.2014 |
| Laps | 157 |
| Distance | 865,541 km / 537,937 miles |
| No | Driver | Ferrari | S/N | Team | Result |
| 51 | Gianmaria Bruni Toni Vilander |
458 Italia GT2 | F 142 GT 2878 |
AF Corse |
13. overall / 3. in class LMGTE PRO |
| 57 | Tracy Krohn Nic Jönsson Ben Collins |
458 Italia GT2 | F 142 GT 2844 | Krohn Racing | 25. overall / 6. in class LMGTE AM |
| 61 | Luis Perez-Companc Marco Cioci Mirko Venturi |
458 Italia GT2 | F 142 GT 2876 |
AF Corse
|
21. overall / 4. in class LMGTE AM |
|
71
|
Davide Rigon James Calado |
458 Italia GT2
|
F 142 GT 2880
|
AF Corse
|
19. overall / 5. in class LMGTE PRO
|
| 81 | Steve Wyatt Michele Rugolo Andrea Bertolini |
458 Italia GT2 | F 142 GT 2874 |
AF Corse | 26. overall / 7. in class LMGTE AM |
| 90 | Jeffrey Segal Gianluca Roda Paolo Ruberti |
458 Italia GT2 | F 142 GT 2846 | 8 Star Motorsports | 23. overall / 5. in class LMGTE AM |
World Endurance Championship: A difficult race for Ferrari in the Austin 6 Hours
Posted: 20.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Austin, 20 September – The curtain has come down on the Austin 6 Hours, the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. It was a spectacular, incident packed race with wheel to wheel fights that held the crowd spellbound until the very last lap. Once again, changeable weather made life tough for the drivers. After a little over an hour and a half, a heavy storm hit the American track, making the track undriveable so that the race was red flagged for a while. The rain at the start made life very difficult for the Ferraris involved in the title fight.
La vittoria nella classe LMGTEPro è dunque andata all’Aston Martin di Turner-Mücke che ha preceduto la Porsche del team formato da Pilet-Makowiecki e la Ferrari n.51 di Bruni e Vilander. Quinta l’altra Ferrari del team AF Corse dei giovani Davide Rigon e James Calado.
“E’ stata una gara molto difficile – ha commentato Gimmi Bruni a cui ha fatto eco il compagno di scuderia Toni Vilander al termine della gara – la condizione meteo ha giocato a nostro svantaggio, con le gomme da bagnato siamo stati meno competitivi ma questo terzo posto è comunque importante perchè ci ha permesso di andare a punti e restare in testa al campionato” Victory in the LMGTEPro class therefore went to the Aston Martin of Turner-Mücke, that crossed the line ahead of the Porsche of the Pilet-Makowiecki duo and the 51 Ferrari of Bruni and Vilander. Fifth was the other Ferrari entered by AF Corse for the youngsters, Davide Rigon and James Calado.
“It was a very difficult race,” commented Gimmi Bruni, a sentiment echoed by team-mate Toni Vilander at the end of the race. “The weather worked against us, as we were less competitive on the raod tyres, but this third place is nevertheless important because it means we scored enough points to stay in the lead of the championship.”
In the LMGTEAm class, Aston Martin took the honours with the number 98 car of Dalla Lana-Lamy-Nygaard. All the other Ferraris entered finished just off the podium. Fourth and fifth respectively were the 61 car of Cioci-Venturi-Companc and the number 90 of Roda-Ruberti-Segal (8 Star Motorsports). Sixth and seventh were Kron-Jönsson-Collins and Wyatt-Rugolo-Bertolini entered respectively by Krohn Racing AF Corse. The outright winner was the Audi Number 2 of Fässler-Lotterer-Tréluyer. The next round is the Fuji 6 Hours, in Japan on October 12th.
World Endurance Championship – Pole Position for Ferrari No. 51 and Bruni and Vilander
Posted: 19.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Austin, 19 September- fourth round of the World Endurance Championship sees the engines fire up at Austin, Texas, for the first time since the Le Mans 24 Hours and today’s schedule for the Ferrari 458 GT2 cars fighting for the honours in the GTE class was all about the final free practice session and qualifying. Rain and changeable weather made life difficult on track, but the AF Corse 51 Ferrari got off on the right foot at the Circuit of the Americas. In LMGTEPro, starting ahead of the field will be the car of Gimmi Bruni and Toni Vilander who finished half a second ahead of the Aston Martin of Turner-Mucke and the Porsche of Makowiecki-Pilet, thus making for a successful day. The other Ferrari 458 GT2 of James Calado and Davide Rigon qualified sixth.
“I’m very happy with this result, was Vilander’s immediate comment. “The rain at the start certainly didn’t help but in the end we got a great pole. However, we have to remember there’s still a six hour race ahead of us.” “It was great today and this qualifying result was really a team effort,” added team-mate Gimmi Bruni.
In the LMGTEAm class, fastest was the Porsche of Collard-Perrodo-Vaxiviere in 2.08.271. Third was the 61 Ferrari of Cioci-Venturi-Companc, ahead of car 80 driven by Roda-Ruberti-Segal. Fifth was the Ferrari 81 of Wyatt-Rugolo-Bertolini. Last was the 458 GT2 of Krohn-Jonsson-Collins.
Pole overall in LMP1 went to the Toyota number 8 car of Davidson-Lapierre-Buemi in 1’48’’993. It all gets serious tomorrow with the Circuit of the Americas 6 Hours starting at 17h00 (00.00 CET.)
World Endurance Championship – Back in action in Austin
Posted: 19.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 19 September –Three months on from the Le Mans 24 Hours, the World Endurance Championship is back in action, with a further five races on the calendar, with plenty of excitement on the cards. The first of these starts this Saturday at the relatively new Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas, which also hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix on 12 November. This weekend’s race starts at 17h00 (midnight CET.)
Only the second time. The track was opened in 2012 with the Formula 1 circus in action and last year, it also made its debut as a WEC venue. In 2013, the LMGTE Pro class victory went to Aston Martin, joined on the podium by the two AF Corse 458 Italia GT2s, driven by Gimmi Bruni and Giancarlo Fisichella, who came second ahead of Toni Vilander and Kamui Kobayashi.
Ferraris in the race. This weekend, there will be six Ferrari 458 GT2s on track, split between the usual two categories, LMGTEPro and LMGTEAm. In the former, the first thing to say is that the young and talented British driver James Calado is back at the wheel, after an unlucky qualifying in the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. He shares the 71 car with Davide Rigon. Much is expected of Bruni and Vilander, currently leading the championship with a 27 point lead over the Porsche runners, Holzer and Makowiecki. Ferrari and AF Corse lead the Constructors’ and Teams’ classifications.
The other class. In LMGTEAm, four Ferraris are taking part: the 61 and 81 cars of AF Corse, driven respectively by Luis Perez Companc, Marco Cioci and Mirko Venturi and Stephen Wyatt, Michele Rugolo and Andrea Bertolini. Alongside them, the 458 Italia GT2 entered by Krohn Racing (Tracy Krohn, Niclas Jonsson and Ben Collins) and the 8 Star Motorsports (con Gianluca Roda, Paolo Ruberti e Jeffrey Segal). Leading the classification is the Aston Martin duo of Kristian Poulsen and David Heinemeier-Hansson who are 29 points ahead of the 61 AF Corse car. Leading the whole championship are the Toyota trio of Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi e Nicolas Lapierre.
| Circuit | Marina Bay Street Circuit – Singapore |
| Date | 21.09.2014 |
| Laps | 61 |
| Distance | 308,328 km / 191,627 miles |
| No | Driver | Ferrari | S/N | Team | Result |
| 7 | Kimi Raikkonen | F14 T | 308 | Scuderia Ferrari | 8. |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | F14 T | 307 | Scuderia Ferrari | 4. |
Singapore GP – A missed opportunity
Posted: 21.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Marco Mattiacci: “Today’s race could have delivered us a better result, because thanks to a quick response from the team after the disappointing outcome of the Grand Prix in Monza, we were competitive all weekend long. Our pace was good and thanks to the strategy, with Fernando we managed to run second, but it later slipped from our grasp during the course of the race. Kimi was held up by traffic and slowed with tyre degradation and, although he got a good start, he was unable to retake the places he had made up. The variable of the Safety Car altered our strategy projections, affecting the outcome of the race. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that the only strategy for winning is to be able to count on a competitive car. Now we leave Singapore having shown signs of progress: on this front, Suzuka will provide a very interesting test bench, because it will allow us to go deeper into our development work in areas in which we want to improve.”
Fernando Alonso: “With hindsight, it’s easy to ask oneself how things would have gone if I hadn’t made a mistake at the start and the Safety Car hadn’t come out when it did, but overall I’m pleased with this weekend, because we were competitive and were able to fight with the front runners. Sometimes, a Safety Car can help but I think that today on this front, we were a bit unlucky, because at that moment, we were trying to make sure of second place and our strategy was good. We didn’t have much of an alternative, because if we had stayed out, the probability was that the stop for the Softs would have cost us more places. Even if in the end, I wasn’t able to get past, the fact we were competitive right to the finish confirms we have made a step forward. Now, in Suzuka, a real circuit, we will have a clearer picture of where we are.”
Kimi Raikkonen: “Today’s race was really frustrating, because despite the fact we were quick, we weren’t able to finish where we wanted. My start was good, I moved up a few places and everything was working perfectly. After the first stop, I lost a place to Felipe and from then on, I found myself stuck behind a Williams for the entire race. Unfortunately, every time I managed to get close, I lost aero performance on the rear and on top of that, tyre degradation was very high. It’s a real shame I was never able to run my race, even if we already knew that straightline speed is our opponents’ strong point. I’m not happy with eighth place, but on the positive side, we have seen improvements this weekend. I’m sure that if, from now on, we don’t have problems, things will go better.”
Pat Fry: “Here in Singapore, the performance of the two F14 Ts was a pleasant surprise, as we have never been as close to the front runners this season. The technical characteristics of the track, our development work, the talent of our drivers and the way our car worked on the softer tyres are just some of the elements that explain our good form this weekend. While very encouraging, it was still not enough to achieve the team’s objectives and it was a real shame to see second place slip from our grasp with Fernando because of the Safety Car. Unfortunately, with Kimi we didn’t manage to get the most out of the car: he had the potential to get a better result, if hadn’t been for Massa undercutting him and then, even though he was on fresher tyres, he did not have the top speed to pass Bottas on the straight. Like Monaco, this is a track where it’s hard to overtake and the arrival of the Safety Car can jumble up the order. Now, in Suzuka, we will have another opportunity and once again, we will try and fight the Red Bulls and especially the Williams in the Constructors’ Championship.”
| Race | ||||||
| Pos. | Time | Gap | Laps | FL | L | |
| ALONSO | 4th | 2:00:20.184 | + 15.389 | 61 | 1.52.115 | 27 |
| Pit-stop | 1st stop | Lap 12 | Old Supersoft | |||
| 2nd stop | Lap 24 | Old Supersoft | ||||
| 3rd stop | Lap 31 | New Soft | ||||
| RAIKKONEN | 8th | 2:01:05.436 | + 60.641 | 617..111 | 1.52.872 | 28 |
| Pit-stop | 1st stop | Lap 11 | Old Supersoft | |||
| 2nd stop | Lap 25 | Old Supersoft | ||||
| 3rd stop | Lap 31 | New Soft | ||||
| Weather: air 30/31 °C, track 37/38 °C. Clear skies | ||||||
Singapore GP – Night and Day
Posted: 21.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 21 September – Having run competitively all weekend from the very first practice session on Friday, Scuderia Ferrari ended the fourteenth round of the World Championship with Fernando Alonso taking the chequered flag in fourth place and Kimi Raikkonen crossing the line eighth.
It’s fair to say therefore that the result of a long hot night in the tropics did not live up to expectations for the Prancing Horse team. However, in performance terms, one could say that the difference between our Marina Bay showing and that of Monza two weeks ago is the difference between night and day.
As the camera flashlights popped in the grandstands when the red lights went out, Fernando produced one of his trademark starts, his F14 T rocketing from his customary fifth on the grid to second behind Lewis Hamilton. Admittedly he was helped in this by the fact that the Englishman’s Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg left a hole on the front row as he had to start from pit lane. The German retired after a few laps, thus handing the title lead back to race winner Hamilton.
Fernando unfortunately outbraked himself at the first corner, which allowed Sebastian Vettel, who had got past Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo at the start, back into second place. From then on, Fernando’s competitive pace saw him in permanent contact with the leaders and on lap 24 when he made his second pit stop, he managed to get the jump on Vettel, undercutting the German to lie second behind the untroubled Hamilton.
But then the Safety Car, a fickle beast that can be your friend or your enemy, dashed the Spaniards hopes. It came out on lap 31, after the front wing of Perez’ Force India shattered, sending debris flying everywhere. The Ferrari strategists reacted, bringing both its drivers in for a final pit stop, leaving them 30 laps to run to the flag on new Soft tyres. However, the two Red Bulls gambled on staying out and ran very long to the flag, proving impossible to pass, thus leaving Fernando unable to exploit his new tyres and making fourth his best possible finish. Kimi had a tougher time, with traffic, usually in the shape of a faster Williams and also suffered with high degradation, eventually having to settle for eighth.
So there was plenty of tension to keep the crowd enthralled, even if the final order of the top four was the same one as at the end of the opening lap, Hamilton in the Mercedes, Vettel and Ricciardo in the Red Bulls and Alonso fourth for Ferrari. In between the Spaniard and his Finnish team-mate, were Massa for Williams, Vergne an impressive sixth for Toro Rosso and Sergio Perez seventh for Force India.
However, the encouraging message for the Scuderia and its fans is that the general pace of the F14 T was much better than in past races and now we head to one of the great challenges on the calendar, the splendid Suzuka circuit and a very different type of a track to this one.
Singapore GP – Fourth and eighth places for Scuderia Ferrari
Posted: 21.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 21 September – Fernando Alonso finished just off the podium in fourth place after a great battle with the two Red Bull drivers, while his Scuderia Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen finished eighth, losing two places on the last two laps having to deal with seriously worn out tyres.
There was drama before the start, as Nico Rosberg failed to get off the grid on the formation lap and had to start from pit lane. When the lights went out, Alonso got away very well, going second in the first corner. However, the Spaniard overshot as the track went left and therefore had to cede the place to Sebastian Vettel.
Before half-distance, Fernando’s situation improved as he moved up to second behind Hamilton, the clear leader. However, after a collision between Sergio Perez and Adrian Sutil brought out the Safety Car, this worked against the two Ferraris, who unlike the Red Bulls, were still on the Supersofts and had to bring forward their stops to make the most of the situation.
For the final 24 laps, Fernando found himself between Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, with no way of getting past them. Further back, Raikkonen moved up to sixth before being overtaking by Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) and Sergio Perez (Force India) who were on fresher tyres. The Finn therefore came home eighth. Lewis Hamilton took the 29th win of his career and thus moves into a 3 point lead over Nico Rosberg. The next race is in Japan in a fortnight’s time.
Singapore GP – The closest yet
Posted: 20.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Fernando Alonso: “If you had told me yesterday that we would still be competitive in qualifying, probably I wouldn’t have believed it. And in fact this fifth place is a bit different to usual, because the gap to pole is really small. This weekend, I’ve felt comfortable right from the first session and probably much of that is down to the characteristics of the track. It’s impossible to compare it to other races, because this one and Monaco are a law unto themselves. But definitely, we have made a step forward since the start of the season and I’m sure the car will continue to improve right the way to the end. Tomorrow’s race will be long and very demanding from a mechanical point of view. Reliability will play a key role as will tyre management, which could make a big difference.”
Kimi Raikkonen: “I’m very happy with the handling of my car. Yesterday, we made some changes to the set-up and in qualifying, I finally managed to drive the way I wanted. Unfortunately, in Q3, on my final run on new Supersoft tyres, a problem forced me to pit. It’s a real shame as I felt comfortable in the car and we had the potential to get a good result. Now I want to feel confident for the race and I hope the team manages to solve the problem without too much difficulty. Tomorrow, we will do our best to bring home as many points as possible, aware that we are going in the right direction.”
Pat Fry: “This was undoubtedly one of the closest qualifying sessions of the season, with the top six cars all within just over three tenths of one another. On this track, a good set-up and a high level of aerodynamic downforce makes the difference and at every corner you can gain or lose a lot of time. And, as is the case at all street circuits, the abilities of the drivers comes to the fore. I would like to be commenting on a better result, because both Kimi and Fernando didn’t make any mistakes. Kimi was comfortable with the car all weekend and we are sorry that he had a software problem on his final Q3 run, because he could definitely have got a better result. This incident confirms just how important is reliability, especially at this point in the season. Fernando showed what he can do on this track and it’s always a pleasure to see him at work. Like Kimi, he improved in every session, getting the most out of the package he had. In free practice, we saw a significant performance difference between the two Pirelli compounds and I’m sure that will make the race particularly absorbing. At this point of the season, reliability plays a key role and here in Singapore, an appearance from the Safety Car is almost guaranteed. Therefore we will have to keep an eye on all the variables in play and try and bring home as many points as possible for the team.”
| ALONSO – Chassis 307 | RAIKKONEN – Chassis 308 | |||||
|
Q1 |
P2 |
1:46.889 |
New Soft – 4 lapsNew Supersoft – 3 laps | P1 |
1:46.685 |
New Soft – 4 lapsNew Supersoft – 3 laps |
|
Q2 |
P3 |
1:46.328 |
New Supersoft – 3 laps |
P4 |
1:46.359 |
New Supersoft – 3 laps |
|
Q3 |
P5 |
1:45.907 |
New Supersoft – 3 lapsNew Supersoft – 3 laps |
P7 |
1:46.170 |
New Supersoft – 3 laps
New Supersoft – 1 lap |
| Weather: 28 °C, track 34 °C. Clear skies | ||||||
Singapore GP – Better than it looks
Posted: 20.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 20 September – Alonso fifth and Raikkonen seventh sounds like the norm this season, but it hides the fact this afternoon’s qualifying was exciting for everyone and one with several positives for Scuderia Ferrari.
There were moments during the 240 total minutes of free practice here in Singapore, when it looked as though the 2014 season’s established order of things might be upset this weekend, with Fernando Alonso putting his F14 T at the top of the time sheet in two of the three sessions, while his Scuderia Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was quickest come the end of the first 18 minutes of this evening’s qualifying around the Marina Bay street circuit.
However, there was always a suggestion that the usual front-runners were sandbagging, holding something back for when it mattered and so it proved.
When the final chequered flag was waved, at the end of what was the most exciting qualifying of the year, Fernando Alonso found himself fifth on the grid. As he said himself after the session, “we are always around fifth.” But he was pleased with what was in many ways the best qualifying session of the year for the Prancing Horse, as his time was only two tenths off the pole man’s. That honour, for the sixth time this year went to Lewis Hamilton, who beat his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by just seven thousandths of a second. That makes it the most closely contested pole since Sebastian Vettel beat our own Fernando Alonso by just two thousandths to take pole in the 2010 German Grand Prix.
Separating the silver arrows from the Spaniard’s F14 T today and occupying the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s fourteenth round of the season are the two Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo in third and Sebastian Vettel in fourth.
The team that appeared to have underperformed slightly today was Williams, with Felipe Massa lining up sixth alongside Fernando tomorrow. He finished ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, who had to abort his second run because of a technical problem: a great shame as the Finn has been in great shape all weekend, which we hope will see him fight his way up the order tomorrow.
The big difference in lap times between the Soft and Supersoft Pirellis means the general expectation has switched from a two to a three stop race for tomorrow, with the Option tyre expected to be used the most. It will make for a fascinating tactical battle, with teams prepared to adjust their strategies at a moment’s notice if the Safety Car continues its 100% appearance record at this race.
Singapore GP – Third and fourth rows for Scuderia Ferrari
Posted: 20.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 20 September–Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen will start tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix from the third and fourth rows of the grid respectively. The Spaniard is fifth on the grid with a 1.45.907, while the Finn is seventh, having done a 1.46.170, meaning both men start from the clean side of the track. There were no particular surprises in the first part of the session, with no shock names going out. The two Ferraris topped the time sheet, with Raikkonen ahead of Alonso.
In Q2, the Mercedes showed their usual form taking the top two spots with Rosberg outpacing Hamilton. Behind the silver arrows came the two F14 Ts, Fernando ahead of Kimi by just 31 thousandths.
The final part of qualifying saw all the drivers do two runs, although Kimi had a problem which prevented him making the most of his second set of tyres. Pole went to Lewis Hamilton, his 37th, by just 7 thousandths from team-mate Nico Rosberg. Third and fourth were the Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel, the latter lapping just five thousandths faster than Alonso. In between the two Ferraris came Felipe Massa in the Williams. The race starts at 20h00, (14h00 CET.)
Singapore GP – Presidential visit
Posted: 20.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 20 September – A keen interest in Scuderia Ferrari was one of the reasons behind a visit that Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam paid today to the Marina Bay Circuit, which hosts the 14th round of the Formula 1 World Championship. The President of the City-State waved off the start of the Track Parade, organised by the local Ferrari dealer featuring a procession of Prancing Horse cars. After that, he and his delegation visited the Ferrari garage, where they were met by Team Principal, Marco Mattiacci. Some of the engineers then explained the workings of the steering wheel and this year’s new Power Unit.
Singapore GP – Alonso top, Raikkonen ninth
Posted: 20.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 20 September –Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen were first and ninth come the end of the final free practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix. In a session where some drivers appeared to be sand-bagging, the Spanish Scuderia Ferrari man did a total of 12 laps, the best in 1.47.299, a time that no one would beat. Raikkonen did 16 laps, the best of which was a 1.48.226, which was good enough for ninth on the time sheet.
All the drivers set their best time on the Supersoft tyre which Pirelli is supplying along with the Soft. The gap between the two compounds however seems to be smaller now than yesterday. This could be down to the drop in temperatures for air and track and also because some rain fell on the Marina Bay circuit this morning.
Between the two Ferraris are the two Red Bulls of Ricciardo in second, Vettel in fifth, with the Mercedes of Rosberg, 3rd and Hamilton 6th. The Williams of Massa and Bottas were 7th and 8th, with Vergne fourth for Toro Rosso. Qualifying is at 21h00 (15h00CET).
Singapore GP – From dusk to dawn
Posted: 19.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Fernando Alonso: “As always, Friday in Singapore is a bit different to what it is at other tracks, as its characteristics mean it is one of a kind and driving here at night is always exciting. The feeling is more or less the same as usual on a first day of practice, as we were reasonably competitive in both sessions and we got through the programme without any problems. The two compounds we have for this race behaved as expected and of the two, the Supersoft produced more grip. The restrictions on radio communication did not affect our work much and it was a regular day from that point of view and everything went off as normal.”
Kimi Raikkonen: “Overall this was a positive day, even if, as usual, there is room for improvement. In the first session we concentrated on looking at different set-up solutions and on my first set of Soft tyres I managed to do a good lap, then unfortunately some technical niggles prevented me from getting the most out of the second set. At the end of the session I had a problem with the brakes overheating, but the team managed to sort it out quickly and prepare the car for the second session. The changes we made to the set-up improved the handling of the car and with the Supersoft tyres there was plenty of grip.”
Pat Fry: “The Marina Bay circuit is always very demanding, both for the drivers and the personnel, who, among other things, have to deal with extreme atmospheric weather conditions. This Friday’s track action that just ended was not perfect, as we had to deal with some reliability problems, especially on Kimi’s car, although the performance more or less matched our expectations. Cooling the various components of the car is a hard task and, in performance terms, so too is getting good traction out of the corners. As usual on street circuits, over the course of the weekend, the grip level improves significantly and so it’s important to get a clear understanding of tyre behaviour. The time difference between the Soft and Supersoft compounds is possibly greater than expected and I’m sure this aspect will make qualifying and the race very interesting. Although Friday’s times count for little and it’s difficult to string together a run of clean laps because of traffic, our drivers’ pace is encouraging. It’s very difficult to overtake in Singapore and it will be very important to do as well as possible in qualifying so as to be well placed for the race.”
| ALONSO – chassis 307 | RAIKKONEN – chassis 308 | |||||
|
First Session |
P1 |
1:49.056 |
16 laps |
P7 |
1:50.783 |
19 laps |
| Weather: air 30 °C, track 38/40 °C. Clear skies | ||||||
|
Second Session |
P2 |
1:47.623 |
29 laps |
P4 |
1:48.031 |
30 laps |
| Weather: air 30/31 °C, track 35/36 °C. Clear skies | ||||||
Singapore GP – The night show begins
Posted: 19.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 19 September – It’s the seventh year of the Singapore Grand Prix but the Marina Bay experience still remains as fresh as ever, when the sun sets with its usual tropical alacrity and the 1,600 floodlights are turned on. The drivers got a few laps running in natural light at the start of FP1 and it will be the same scenario tomorrow for FP3, but the rest of the track action is all run under artificial light, the excitement of the show enhanced by the clarity of the sparks flying off the cars and the flashbulbs bursting in the grandstands.
None of this scene-setting matters to the drivers of course, as they just want to get on with the usual tasks of setting up their cars on what is one of the most demanding circuits of the season, thanks to the heat, the bumpy nature of the track surface, particularly in the first sector and the proximity of the barriers. In general, it was a productive day for the two Ferrari drivers, who between them completed 92 laps, the Spaniard doing 44 and the Finn four more, with Fernando Alonso ending the day second fastest, while Kimi Raikkonen was fourth.
Apart from the brakes overheating on Kimi’s car in FP1, both 90 minute sessions, the second starting just two hours after the end of the first rather than the normal two and a half, ran mainly trouble-free for the two F14Ts and produced reasonable results.
As usual, the teams delayed trying the Supersoft Pirelli Option tyre until the second half of FP2 but its results were dramatic, for all teams in fact, producing a lap time improvement of around 2 seconds over the Soft. However, on a street track the engineers know that everything changes as the track rubbers in, so no final strategy decisions can be made on the basis of today’s sessions.
As usual this year, a Mercedes topped the time sheet, this time it was Lewis Hamilton. Third behind Fernando was Daniel Ricciardo for Red Bull, with his team-mate Sebastian Vettel fifth behind Kimi, the German missing most of the second session as his engine had to be changed. Kevin Magnussen completed the top six for McLaren.
Singapore GP – Scuderia Ferrari second and fourth
Posted: 19.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 19 September–Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen ended the second free practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix setting the second and fourth fastest times respectively. The Spaniard completed 28 laps, the best in 1.47.623, while the Finn did 29, stopping the clocks in 1.48.031.
In the second session, as in the first, the drivers continued to work on set-up and tyre work, this time running the Pirelli Supersofts, comparing them with the Softs. In the final part of the session, the Scuderia drivers, like almost all the others, did some long runs to simulate various stages of the race.
Fastest was Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes with a 1.47.490, while between the two F14 Ts, squeezed Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull, Free practice three kicks off at 18h00 (12h00 CET.)
Scuderia Ferrari remembers Emilio Botin
Posted: 19.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 19 September – Over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, Scuderia Ferrari wishes to honour the memory of chairman Emilio Botin, who passed away last week. On the two F14 Ts, the Santander logo, which features on the rear wing endplates, will be carried in mourning for a man who loved racing and was always a big Ferrari fan. The thoughts of the Scuderia are with him and feelings of deep affection and esteem also go out to his family, as they bear the loss of a person of uncommon charisma and intelligence.
Singapore GP – De la Rosa: “A race with no pause for breath”
Posted: 19.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 19 September – “The last thing you expect with a night race is to have a problem with the heat, however I have felt for myself how wrong that notion is.” Thus Pedro de la Rosa, for two seasons a test driver with Scuderia Ferrari, begins his narrative on the Singapore Grand Prix. “At this latitude, even after sunset, you suffer a lot with the hot and humid conditions. And you also pay the price for the fact that, on this street circuit, the barriers, (real walls in fact!) let not a breath of air through. If there’s a race that can be defined as one with no pause for breath, then it’s definitely the one in Singapore. Sometimes you hope the Safety Car will come out, just so you can have a drink and catch your breath: it’s a true marathon.”
A very demanding track. “The Singapore circuit is particularly complicated and you cannot afford to make the slightest mistake,” continues the Spaniard, talking to www.ferrari.com. “It is very technical and bumpy. In fact, the track presents the same difficulties as Monaco, although in the Principality you race over just over 260 kilometres, while in Singapore, every year you come very close to the two hour limit.
In the maze of corners at Marina Bay, it is also particularly difficult to overtake because of the lack of straights and the only opportunity is under braking at Turn 7. Here, in order to stay on the racing line, you need maximum concentration, because the surface already starts to get very bumpy at the exits to Turns 5 and 6.
Brakes get a hard time. “This track is also extremely demanding on the brakes, because the absence of long straights and the presence of all the walls, makes it very difficult to cool the discs. When I raced here in 2012, I hadn’t even finished the first lap before my engineer was reminding me to look after the brakes because the temperature was already very high. Here, like at no other track on the calendar, the choice of the right brake material can decide the final outcome of the race.”
Singapore GP – Alonso: “Ferrari is bigger than any one individual”
Posted: 18.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 18 September – In slightly cooler conditions than we have come to expect here in the Tropics, Fernando Alonso faced the press for the first time this evening and the number one topic was the ban on certain radio messages as from this weekend. “It won’t make a big difference to be honest,” began the Scuderia Ferrari driver. “I don’t think it will have a huge impact on the race itself, or preparations for the weekend. In any case, at Ferrari we have not used the radio for any performance related reasons. We tend to use it to control temperatures, to talk about traffic and strategy. I cannot say how it might affect other teams. As for the change in general, it has generated a lot of media attention, like the situation with FRIC, but in that case, we saw the final impact on the race was nothing special. I think it will be a similar case with this radio rule. It’s like if you’re a coach in football or basketball and cannot talk to your players; in the end it’s the player who shoots the ball. It won’t change our driving style and it’s not as though we won’t know how to drive the circuit.”
Rather than simply brush it away in his usual style, the Spaniard chose to question the motives behind yet another rumour about his future, this time that he and Vettel would swap teams! “It’s sad when these rumours are created in Italy,” he stated. “It’s a shame as it’s not helping Ferrari, which is the reason why we are all here and Ferrari is a much bigger brand than any one individual or even Formula 1 in general. I have a lot of respect for Ferrari and try and maintain a good atmosphere with the guys in the team, in order to have a very united team. It’s what we need and what the people expect from us. So it’s not clear to me what is the purpose of these rumours coming from Italy.”
Various factors relating to the Marina Bay circuit mean that fuel consumption could play a role on Sunday, however Alonso doesn’t feel it will be an issue. “It’s true fuel will be tight here and we will have to save a little bit extra, but it should be manageable, especially as the track layout allows you to save fuel quite easily compared to other circuits as you are generally safe from overtaking moves.”
And then came a final word on the big news since Monza, the departure of Luca di Montezemolo. “He was our leader for many years and it was a great time for Ferrari,” reckoned Fernando. “I wish him good luck with new projects and for the new President, I wish him good luck for hopefully a very successful future.”
Singapore GP – Raikkonen: “I still want to get good results”
Posted: 18.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 18 September – Called to attend the formal setting of today’s FIA Press Conference, Kimi Raikkonen inevitably had less to say than his team-mate who spoke earlier at the Scuderia Ferrari hospitality. However, the first topic was the same for both men, namely the ban on various radio communications. Of course the Finn is famous for telling his race engineer over the radio two years ago (when driving for a different team) to leave him alone as he knew what he was doing! The quote has gone down in F1 history and today, Kimi seemed to continue in that belief. “We don’t spend a lot of time on the radio in my case, usually when there are no issues,” began the Ferrari man. “It might get more complicated if there are problems with the car and we have to change things to finish the race. It could be more complex, but that’s part of the game.”
Raikkonen has endured a difficult season so far, but it hasn’t dented his determination to keep searching for success. “For the rest of the season, we are going to try as hard as we can, because I still want to get good results for me and for the team,” he insisted. “ It’s going to be difficult and of course this season was not what we hoped for as we expected to do better. But there have been some pretty good improvements from us as a team and I am happier. But there is still a lot of work to do.” Hardly surprising that the driver known as “The Iceman” was unconcerned about the tropical weather here. “In the past it’s not been a problem for me, in fact, it doesn’t feel as hot or humid as in the past and also, this year, the cars are slower.”
Singapore GP – A living sculpture
Posted: 18.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 18 September – Fernando Alonso attended a UPS event at Singapore’s Clarke Quay today. He unveiled a Formula 1 car made entirely of bark and fittonia, a tropical evergreen plant, which represented team-work and efficiency. UPS dedicated it to the city-state that has hosted one of the most evocative rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship since 2008. It took famous horticulturist Alan Wong and his team eight weeks to produce the sculpture, as a tribute to the partnership between Ferrari and its logistics sponsor. And just like a real Formula 1 car, it is always in a state of updating and development, getting better all the time.
Singapore GP – Racing in miniature
Posted: 18.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 18 September – The Shell V-Power LEGO range was given its world launch today in Singapore, the event getting underway with a race in miniature. Taking part in the mini-challenge were Kimi Raikkonen, representing Scuderia Ferrari and Ian Albiston, Shell’s Technology Manager. They were joined by two students who are taking part in the Shell Eco Marathon Asia, a project run by the Scuderia’s technical sponsor, based on sustainable mobility and on alternative forms of energy.
At the end of the special race, Kimi took part in the unveiling of 1:2 scale models of an F138, a 250 GTO, a 512s and an F12 berlinetta, all made entirely of Lego bricks. The models are some of the cars and playsets born out of the collaboration between Ferrari and the LEGO group. They will soon be available in miniature versions from distributors. It took over a year and a half to produce the new collection that features the introduction of the smallest pull-back motor ever built by the LEGO Group, capable of propelling the cars over a distance greater than two metres.
Singapore GP – Precision testing
Posted: 18.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Singapore, 18 September –With Singapore hosting the fourteenth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, Kimi Raikkonen’s weekend got underway with a challenge measured to the nearest millimetre. This morning, the Ferrari man was the guest of honour at a very exclusive event staged by Hublot, on the fifth anniversary of the opening of its Marina Bay Sands shop. The Finn tackled assembling the casing of a Big Bang Ferrari “UNICO movimento,” one of the watch models produced in limited numbers, dedicated to the Maranello marque.
Raikkonen demonstrated great precision as he handled the delicate movement of the watch, just one of a vast range produced by the famous brand, a Sponsor of the Scuderia since 2011while also being the supplier of the Ferrari “Official Watch” and having the role of “Official Timekeeper.”
Singapore GP – Into the night
Posted: 16.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 16 September – With the European part of this season consigned to history, it’s time for the Formula 1 circus to leave home and tackle the final six Grands Prix of the season, which involves criss-crossing the globe from the Far East to the West and back to its Middle East finale.
The first of those appointments is at the photogenic and floodlit Marina Bay circuit in Singapore and involves a move away from the tracks where power and top speed are the key factors, as Scuderia Ferrari’s Engineering Director Pat Fry explains. “After the two races in Spa and Monza, run on low downforce circuits, we now go to Singapore which is at completely the other end of the spectrum,” says the Englishman. “It’s a street circuit requiring very high downforce, where we will be running the Soft and Supersoft tyres on a track with similar characteristics to Monaco. 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.”
The two standout features of the Singapore weekend are the fact that track action takes place at night and, being in the Tropics, it’s very hot. The former element is something that over the years has proved easy to adapt to, while the heat is tough on drivers, team personnel and the cars. “Even though it’s a night race, the temperatures are still very high, in the high 20s or low 30s, which puts heavy demands on the cooling systems for the engine and the ERS,” says Fry. “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.”
The characteristics of the 5.065 km street track should be better suited to the F14 T than the fast flowing circuits of the past month. However, nothing can be taken for granted at what is one of the hardest events on the calendar and for the Scuderia crew the motivation to do well is clear. “Monza was a tough weekend for us,” admits Fry. “So now we are regrouping and we will keep pushing forward, concentrating on getting the best out of the package we’ve got.” While the team clearly wants to finish the season as high up the order in the Constructors’ classification, there are other reasons for wanting to push hard to the very end of the year. “At this stage of the season, the focus in the factory is shifting more towards next year’s car,” reveals Fry. “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.”
GP Singapore: Evening dress required
Posted: 15.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 15 September – The Formula 1 World Championship now leaves Europe and sets sail for Asia. Sunday actually sees the seventh running of the Singapore Grand Prix, round 14 of 19 this season. The race has always been run at the Marina Bay street circuit and its biggest claim to fame is that it is always run at night. The race starts at 8pm, with the track completely floodlit. Scuderia Ferrari can boast one win, two podiums and two poles here.
The win. It came in 2010, when Fernando Alonso dominated the Grand Prix, winning from pole, as well as securing a memorable triple, as he also set the race fastest lap. All race long, the Spaniard had to fend off the attentions of Sebastian Vettel, who never managed to get past, as they crossed the line separated by less than three tenths of a second.
A bitter memory. Singapore is also the scene of a bitter memory for the Scuderia. In 2008, Felipe Massa was leading, having started from pole, but at the refueling stop, he drove away before the mechanics had finished the procedure on the F2008. The Brazilian thus dragged the fuel line behind him and only realised at the end of pit lane. The mechanics had to run the length of the pit lane to get Felipe back in the race and so he could finish no higher than 13th in a race won, somewhat surprisingly, by Fernando Alonso in the Renault.
Long race. The Grand Prix is 61 laps long, equivalent to almost 309 kilometres and the race usually comes very close to the maximum time allowed of two hours. When it comes to the Ferrari drivers, Fernando Alonso loves this track and has won here twice, while Kimi Raikkonen’s best result is a third place last year.
Radio gu-gu, Radio ga-ga
Posted: 12.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 12 September – During the break between the Italian and Singapore Grands Prix, the FIA announced that instructions the teams give to drivers by radio must be significantly reduced. In fact, the FIA has simply decided to apply a more restrictive interpretation of rule 20.1 of the Sporting Regulations which stipulates that a driver must drive the car “alone and unaided”.
Certain radio communications, as from the Singapore GP, will henceforth be considered as “external assistance”. From what the FIA has indicated, although no precise guidelines exist yet, all information relating to fuel consumption and messages regarding settings and adjustments that could improve car performance will be banned. Currently, drivers make two or three adjustments per lap based on information given to them by the engineers who monitor the situation via telemetry.
In the same vein, engineers will not be able to give information to the drivers about in which corners or sectors they can improve, nor will they be able to give information to the drivers regarding the state of their tyres or what they should do during the formation lap. However, the driver will still be able to have access to some of this information via the LCD display on the steering wheel (although in fact three teams do not have this system) while the FIA will listen in on and record all conversations, being vigilant in checking for any coded messages. A zero-tolerance approach will be applied, with the possibility of a five-second penalty. Among the communications still allowed by the FIA is the message to come in for a pit stop, team orders relating to switching positions between team-mates, warnings relating to any potential hazards on track and information relating to traffic. The Scuderia Ferrari personnel are evaluating the effect of this technical directive relating to radio communications and are analysing the possible scenarios that could occur on track. There are still some uncertainties remaining especially regarding safety matters. Information about brake and tyre wear are among those currently banned but messages on these topics could prevent dangerous incidents. How to proceed? While awaiting further clarification from the FIA, we will only find out on track what effect these new regulations will have on the races…
Ferrari Board of Directors: a record first six months
Posted: 11.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
USA remains largest market worldwide and records 13% growth.
Celebrations of Ferrari’s 60th year in America planned in October with both a special event and a special car
Maranello, 11th September – The Ferrari S.p.A. Board of Directors met today under the chairmanship of Luca di Montezemolo to examine the financial results for the first half of 2014.
The figures show growth in all indicators despite the planned reduction in car deliveries.
On June 30th, Ferrari recorded revenues of 1,348.6 million euro (+14.5%) and trading profit reached 185 million euro (+5.2%), both H1 figures completely unprecedented in Ferrari history.
Net income increased by almost 10% to 127.6 million euro too.
The company also set another new record for its net industrial financial position which stood at 1,594 million euro at the end of June even though product investment remains high, while net cash flow for the first half of the year amounted to 236 million euro.
A total of 3,631 homologated cars were delivered, 3.6% fewer than in the same period in 2013.
Significantly, any comparison with H1 2013 must also take into account the fact that the Ferrari California went out of production with deliveries of the new California T beginning only in summer. Added to this was the strategic decision to cut production taken in May 2013. However, an increase of 5% in deliveries is planned by the end of the year.
In Europe, Great Britain remains our largest market with a total of 408 cars delivered, 7 fewer than in the first half of 2013. Notably, as with the first quarter of 2014, deliveries to Italy rose after years of falling: +13% with 131 dispatched to their owners. However, the domestic market remains marginal accounting for only a little over 3% of total volumes.
In the Far East, Ferrari recorded double-figure growth in Japan (+13%, 195 cars) while Australia was up by 7.7% with 56 delivered. Greater China, however, is feeling the impact of the controlled reduction in deliveries to Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China to which a total of 285 cars went compared to 344 in H1 2013.
Results in the USA were excellent too with very brisk growth: 1,062 cars, +13%. 2014 is also a special year there as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the sale of the first Ferrari in the country. “It gives all of us here at Ferrari a sense of great satisfaction to continue to achieve record financial results, particularly given that production was limited. I am sure that in a few months’ time, we will be marking the end of a truly extraordinary and unprecedented year. Sales will also increase by several percentage points to avoid excessively long waiting lists,” declared Luca di Montezemolo, adding: “To celebrate Ferrari’s 60th year in the USA, we have developed a special car of which just 10 examples will be built, in addition to planning a major event in Los Angeles to bring together all our American clients and collectors, and a charity initiative.”
The figures from the company’s Brand activities (licensing, retail, e-commerce) remain positive too. In the retail sector, we are rapidly implementing our new strategy of taking over the direct management of the Ferrari Stores in some of the world’s leading cities. This soundness of this decision has already been confirmed by an increase of 7% in revenues in the directly-managed Stores in the first six months of the year, with the Ferrari Store in Maranello faring best with a figure of over 14%.
On the licencing front, H1 2014 also brought the signing of agreements to commence the building next year of Ferrari Land, a theme park just outside Barcelona, and the launch of our first Oakley sunglasses collection.
Online activities are also faring very well indeed: the Ferrari Facebook page has now broken the 15-million fan barrier and we also launched the site dedicated to the Scuderia in China. The social network channels continued to provide an exceptional insight into the world of Ferrari in the first six months of 2014 too with just under 900,000 people following us on Twitter.
Revenues: 1,348.6 million euro (+14.5%)
Trading profit: 185 million euro (+5.2%)
Net profits: 127.6 million euro (+9.8%)
Record net industrial financial position: 1,594 million euro – an unprecedented result
Homologated cars delivered: 3,631 (- 3.6%) but 2014 will close with deliveries +5%
Six leading Ferrari collectors visit Maranello
Posted: 08.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 8th September 2014 – Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, Vice-Chairman Piero Ferrari and CEO Amedeo Felisa met with the world’s leading Ferrari collectors today at the Maranello headquarters. The group included Jon Shirley, owner of the 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti Coupé, winner of the prestigious Best in Show title at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance which took place last August at the famous Carmel Golf Course in California. The classic car market continues to flourish as borne out by auction results which put nine Prancing Horse cars in the top 10 most expensive cars of all time (first place going to the Ferrari 250 GTO that sold for 28.5 million euro last August at Monterey, California). Today’s meeting thus laid the foundations for a major project involving our international collectors and launching in the coming months.
Ciao, Don Emilio
Posted: 10.09.2014
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 10 September – “We mourn the loss of a great friend and an incredible entrepreneur, with whom we shared many great moments, both racing and others over the past few years,” said Luca di Montezemolo.
“Ferrari will always remember him as one of its most enthusiastic fans and it is thanks to him that we enjoyed such great support from Santander, which went above and beyond a straightforward commercial role.”
“My thoughts and those of everyone at Ferrari, are with his family and all his colleagues at the Bank, with great affection.”
Santander is sorry to announce the death of its chairman, Emilio Botín.
Posted: 10.09.2014
Source: Banco Santander
Madrid, September 10, 2014. Banco Santander regrets to announce that its chairman, Emilio Botín, has passed away. In accordance with the procedures set out in article 24 of the board rules, the appointments and remuneration committee and the board of directors will meet today to appoint a new chairman of the bank.
Montezemolo quits Ferrari, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne to become new Chairman
Posted: 10.09.2014
Source: Fiat
Turin, 10 September 2014 – Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has announced his intention to resign as Chairman of Ferrari with effect from October 13th following completion of Ferrari’s celebration of 60 years in America.
Fiat CEO, Sergio Marchionne, will take over as Chairman of Ferrari.
Since 1991, Ferrari achieved significant results under Montezemolo’s chairmanship in terms of both financial performance and its standing in the world of racing. Under his leadership, Ferrari boasted a world-class team and numerous record-setting achievements.
“On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to thank Luca for all he has done for both Fiat and Ferrari”, said Fiat Chairman, John Elkann. He held several key positions with the Group, including serving as Chairman of Fiat from 2004 to 2010, and we shared many challenging but also rewarding moments. Luca leaves us with my most sincere and heartfelt wishes for his future professional endeavors and the hope, I am certain shared by us both, that Ferrari will return to victory very soon.”
“Luca and I were appointed to the Fiat Board of Directors on the very same day back in 2003”, said Fiat CEO, Sergio Marchionne. “One year later, he became Chairman and I became CEO. We worked side by side, sharing concerns, difficulties and successes. As Chairman of Ferrari, he drove the company to a new level of technological and organizational excellence which also brought with it outstanding financial results. Luca and I have discussed the future of Ferrari at length. And our mutual desire to see Ferrari achieve its true potential on the track has led to misunderstandings which became clearly visible over the last weekend. I want to thank Luca for all he has done for Fiat, for Ferrari and for me personally.”