Ferrari are to implement changes to improve the quality of their components after a sub-standard batch of parts were found to be at fault for the turbo issues that struck both cars in Malaysia.
For the second straight Formula 1 race weekend, the Scuderia had the car to claim what could have been a comfortable 1-2 as the pace from Singapore continued to Sepang, as did the lack of pace by main rivals Mercedes.
However, just like Marina Bay, the team couldn’t capitalise as Sebastian Vettel was unable to participate in qualifying and was left to fight back through the field on Sunday, while Kimi Raikkonen didn’t make the start after being struck with a similar issue on his way to the grid.
“Yesterday, both Ferraris could have won the race,” Marchionne said on Monday. “That’s a fact. It could have also been the same in Singapore, that’s another fact.”
Analysis of Vettel’s problem on Saturday found the cause of his stoppage to be an issue with the air pressure system to the turbo rather than a problem with the turbo itself, with investigations stretching back to Maranello.
“We’ve got some issues with our power units because we have a young team, but also because the quality of the components is not at the right level for a race car,” the President continued. We are intervening and we are working on it.
“It’s almost fortunate we haven’t had that problem until the Malaysian GP. Now we’re working on the quality department and making some organisational changes but having this kind of problem during the race makes us angry.
“It’s not a big problem if this kind of issue appears in our factory, but it’s really ugly when you’re in second place on the grid and you can’t start the race,” he concluded referring to Raikkonen’s situation.
Following the poor reliability in addition to the now infamous start crash in Singapore, Lewis Hamilton now holds a 34-point lead over Vettel in the Drivers’ standings and in the Constructors’ the gap is now 118 points.
But the potential of the last two weekends has not dampened Ferrari’s aspirations this season, as team boss Maurizio Arrivabene was keen to stress after the race.
“All weekend, it was clear we had a very competitive car,” he said. “That could be seen from our pace in free practice, Kimi’s front row in qualifying and Seb’s amazing fight back in the race, when he went from last to fourth.
“The team remained focused on its job throughout, putting in a great deal of effort working in the garage and then implementing an impeccable strategy,” he added, commending the team’s response to the problems.
“It’s further cause to continue to believe in ourselves: we have the car, the men, the drivers, the means and the spirit to fight all the way to the finish.”
