Scuderia Ferrari Looking to Future While Learning From 2013 Mistakes

Scuderia FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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is very disappointed about this year’s Formula One season. While Fernando Alonso was able to secure second-place in the F1 World Drivers’ Championship, the team did not achieve its goal of being second-place in the World Constructors’ Championship. It was just six points away from MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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, which finished in second, and probably would have beat them if Massa had not been penalized. The team says that it is focusing on the future while trying to learn from its mistakes to improve for 2014.

There is not much time to look back anyway. The first test of the 2014 cars will be a Jerez in two months, and there will be two more pre-season tests after that. The team claims that there have never been as many rule changes in F1 in one season.

Ferrari has completed its new, full-size wind tunnel and no longer has to ship parts to Toyota’sToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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wind tunnel in Germany for testing. It also hired former LotusLotusUnited Kingdom, 1952 > present68 models
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Technical Director James Allison to lead the design on the new car.

Ferrari says that its flaw this season was not making the necessary changes to keep up with Red BullRed BullAustria, 2004 > present12 models
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in the second half of the season. Ferrari scored both of its race wins in the first half of the season, but Red Bull won nine races in a row in the second half.

If Ferrari used the time in developing the 2014 car, rather than the 2013 car in the second half of the year, then it may have an advantage, but that is no guarantee. Signing Kimi Raikkonen to replace Felipe Massa should also score points in 2014. If Raikkonen had not sat out the final two races of the year, he would have likely finished third in the Drivers’ World Championship.

Ferrari has a huge challenge next season, if it wants to be world champion, and it has a lot riding on it too. Remember, the auto division of Ferrari has elected to build fewer cars at higher prices and license the brand more. Financial success for the company is contingent on the value of the Ferrari brand, which gains value as the team wins championships.