Ferrari do risk carrying some 2019 car flaws over to 2020 if fixes are not found soon, team boss Mattia Binotto warns.
This season has seen the performance of the SF90 held back by weaknesses in low-speed corners and in optimising the current Pirelli tyres.
And even though the year is only a few months old, work on improving them with next year’s design is already underway.
“The [2020] project has been started for many weeks and months,” Binotto was quoted by F1i.com.
“We’re already developing for next year and by summertime, the project is normally quite far ahead already.
“I think if there is anything that needs to be addressed for next year it needs to be done very soon as well,” the Swiss Ferrari chief noted.
“We are working in parallel on this year’s project because we need to improve and there is much to learn.
“Whatever we may do on the current car project will be of benefit to next year, but next year’s project does not start in October and November.”
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When Ferrari appeared to be the class of the field in pre-season, many put it down to a unique front wing concept which was only followed by technical partner Alfa Romeo.
Now though, some are questioning if it is that design and other elements which have held the team back.
“Improving the full car and concepts takes some time, no doubt,” Binotto claimed.
“To define a new aero concept may take a few weeks, but in the meantime, we need to optimise the package we’ve got. There’s still room to do so.
“If you look at the five races at the start of the season, there are somewhere we’ve been strong. So I think there are still races we can be strong with the current package.”
To help Binotto, who fills both roles as team boss and technical director, it is reported that Ferrari is considering bringing back Simone Resta, who moved to Alfa Romeo last year.
“As a team, no doubt we are always trying to improve ourselves by looking where maybe we miss strengths and Simone has been in Ferrari in the past,” he commented.
“He moved to be Alfa Romeo’s technical director, he’s having a great experience.
“We are evaluating him to be back at a certain stage but it’s not something we’ve decided.
“We’ve covered his role currently in Maranello anyway, so it’s not a plug-in situation.”
