Ferrari’s preparations for the 2017 Formula 1 season have been derailed by aerodynamic issues with their new car, according to unconfirmed reports.
Rumours have emerged this week that the Scuderia, which placed third in the championship last year, has been forced to turn its attention to an effective ‘B’ car which would be introduced in time for May’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The notable absence of team principal Maurizio Arrivabene at a Pirelli launch event in Turin only served to fuel the speculation, with suggestions the under-pressure Italian was holding crisis talks.
A team spokesman, however, has moved to dismiss the murmurings, insisting that the everything is proceeding as normal at Maranello.
“It would be inappropriate to talk about expectations,” spokesman Alberto Antonini said. “The regulations have changed and the car will be completely different. “We know our abilities and what kind of car we have built.
“In the team the results are in line with expectations, but we need to wait for the tests in Barcelona to compare with the others.”
Nonetheless, the reports suggest all is not well at Ferrari as the Italian marque looks to mount a resurgence in 2017 following a frustrating 2016 campaign which saw the team slip down the pecking order after a promising start.
It could well prove a defining year for a team which has consistently fallen short of its lofty expectations in recent times, winning just 11 races since the turn of the decade.
Kimi Raikkonen is expected to hang up his helmet at the end of the season, with Sebastian Vettel an option for Mercedes should they choose not to extend Valtteri Bottas’ contract.
Ferrari will launch its 2017 challenger on February 24, three days before pre-season testing gets underway at Barcelona.
