Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has urged F1 to give the sport's new 2014 regulations a chance before criticising them.
He also commented on the Maranello-based outfit's decision to re-hire Kimi Raikkonen to partner Fernando Alonso, saying the Finn is "more mature" now.
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone labelled the new F1 era "a farce" following the first winter test at Jerez, where teams struggled with a number of mechanical problems.
Due to the dramatic rules shake-up, which includes cuts to downforce and new V6 Turbo engines, and the lack of running at the opening test, many are predicting high retirement rates and conservative driving to get the cars to the chequered flag this year.
Some of the changes have also received negative reactions from the fans, including the introduction of double points for the final round in Abu Dhabi. However, Domenicali has advised fans and those in F1 to reserve judgement until we have seen the new regulations in action.
"In this situation, it’s best not to rush to draw any conclusions, and play into the hands of those scaremongers, as a propensity for self-destruction serves no purpose," he told the official Ferrari website. "Every time there are changes, there are discussions, which is natural.
"We have only had one test so far when there were never more than four or five cars on track at the same time. Let’s wait until we see all 22 together before saying that everything’s gone wrong. Once a path has been chosen, one has to move forward in a constructive manner.
"If after a certain period of time we see that an element of excitement is really missing, such as engine noise, then we can see how best to react. Personally, I don’t think this aspect will keep people away from the racetracks."
The Italian commented on the opening test in Jerez, saying he is cautiously optimistic before adding: "In Jerez, we saw the F14 T get off on the right foot, responding well to changes, while the basic data corresponds to the parameters established in the wind tunnel and there were no bad surprises. Clearly there is still much to do because it’s impossible to start with a perfect car in a season featuring so many changes.
"The start of the championship will be full of unknown quantities and it is far too early to make any sort of prediction. I think we will start to understand a bit more only at the last Bahrain test. My optimism is based on the fact we know which areas need working on: caution is always a good approach, but that doesn’t mean the people working on this project lack the commitment or the will to show our competitors how well we can do things at Ferrari."
The Scuderia have, arguably, the best driver line-up on the 2014 grid, with Kimi Raikkonen returning to the team to partner Fernando Alonso. He says signing the 'Iceman' was a "rational decision" as the team needs two strong and experienced drivers.
"I have found a more mature Kimi, more closely knit to the team. He comes to Maranello almost every week to work with the engineers," he added. "He knows his worth and he knows what team he has returned to and what challenges he will face, having a world champion like Alonso alongside him for whom he has respect and he will have to adapt to working with him.
"Fernando is extremely intelligent and has managed to stay ahead in whatever car he has driven. He has an ability to interpret the race and to read it in an amazing way and I think he will make the most of the new regulations, which will require some stages of the race to be managed in a different way. We feel close to him partly because it was such a long time ago that we decided to invest in him."
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| © Octane Photographic |
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone labelled the new F1 era "a farce" following the first winter test at Jerez, where teams struggled with a number of mechanical problems.
Due to the dramatic rules shake-up, which includes cuts to downforce and new V6 Turbo engines, and the lack of running at the opening test, many are predicting high retirement rates and conservative driving to get the cars to the chequered flag this year.
Some of the changes have also received negative reactions from the fans, including the introduction of double points for the final round in Abu Dhabi. However, Domenicali has advised fans and those in F1 to reserve judgement until we have seen the new regulations in action.
"In this situation, it’s best not to rush to draw any conclusions, and play into the hands of those scaremongers, as a propensity for self-destruction serves no purpose," he told the official Ferrari website. "Every time there are changes, there are discussions, which is natural.
"We have only had one test so far when there were never more than four or five cars on track at the same time. Let’s wait until we see all 22 together before saying that everything’s gone wrong. Once a path has been chosen, one has to move forward in a constructive manner.
"If after a certain period of time we see that an element of excitement is really missing, such as engine noise, then we can see how best to react. Personally, I don’t think this aspect will keep people away from the racetracks."
The Italian commented on the opening test in Jerez, saying he is cautiously optimistic before adding: "In Jerez, we saw the F14 T get off on the right foot, responding well to changes, while the basic data corresponds to the parameters established in the wind tunnel and there were no bad surprises. Clearly there is still much to do because it’s impossible to start with a perfect car in a season featuring so many changes.
"The start of the championship will be full of unknown quantities and it is far too early to make any sort of prediction. I think we will start to understand a bit more only at the last Bahrain test. My optimism is based on the fact we know which areas need working on: caution is always a good approach, but that doesn’t mean the people working on this project lack the commitment or the will to show our competitors how well we can do things at Ferrari."
The Scuderia have, arguably, the best driver line-up on the 2014 grid, with Kimi Raikkonen returning to the team to partner Fernando Alonso. He says signing the 'Iceman' was a "rational decision" as the team needs two strong and experienced drivers.
"I have found a more mature Kimi, more closely knit to the team. He comes to Maranello almost every week to work with the engineers," he added. "He knows his worth and he knows what team he has returned to and what challenges he will face, having a world champion like Alonso alongside him for whom he has respect and he will have to adapt to working with him.
"Fernando is extremely intelligent and has managed to stay ahead in whatever car he has driven. He has an ability to interpret the race and to read it in an amazing way and I think he will make the most of the new regulations, which will require some stages of the race to be managed in a different way. We feel close to him partly because it was such a long time ago that we decided to invest in him."
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