Maurizio Arrivabene says it would be “crazy” for Ferrari to start shifting its focus on the 2017 Formula One season and stop bringing updates to this year’s SF16-H.
With radical aero regulation changes set for introduction next season, teams have been busy working on their new challenger for several months. The crossover to the 2017 cars will then depend on the outfits’ budgets as well as their positions in the championship.
Ferrari has already brought major upgrades to its 2016-spec charger but a scruffy first half to the season means the Scuderia sits 81 points behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ standings.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel trails championship leader Nico Rosberg by 46 points, with team-mate Kimi Raikkonen another 15 points adrift.
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However, Arrivabene insists the Scuderia will not forfeit its 2016 title ambitions to prepare the 2017 rules revolution.
“I think in this situation we have now, we have a gap from Mercedes but we are not that far from Mercedes,” the Ferrari team principal said. “It is crazy to talk about next year, we need to focus on this year, focus our attention on the areas where we have weaknesses and try to improve. That is what we are going to do.”
When asked about what is required to upset the reigning Constructors’ champions, Arrivabene replied: “A bit of chassis and a bit of aero”
“If I am not thinking of working in this area then I am not doing my job and we are not doing our job.”
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