Ferrari is planning on reinstating two of its F1 cars driven by Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa with new engines. Present regulations desire the engines used must last for two consecutive race weekends. As per Ferraris track engine chief Mattia Binotto, with only one round left in this season the team will be pushing tolerance levels to their potential try and gaining that extra performance.
Mattia Binotto added,
In the past, when we had this situation of not having to prepare an engine to last for two races, it could lead to some extreme engine experimentation from teams, but now with the engine freeze there are limits to what can be done.
He then explains that in the past they could carry some dedicated efforts directed towards developing engines for just a single race, so they could even come up with some special components with short continuations.
Now, the regulations direct that all the components shall remain the same with the only leverage that the distances to be done in Sao Paulo are divided in two five hundred kilometer patches instead of a continuing one thousand.
It resulted in the teams trying to get maximum out of the engine, running on higher revolutions, also enabling it to run at higher temperatures. Moreover, the location of the Interlagos circuits in itself is a drawback as its altitude above the sea level causes a great reduction in the engine out-put.
Adding to all the above facts, the main straight past the pits is an uphill track which requires the best out of the engine and maximum output down the straight providing you with an opportunity to take a lead and thus the choice for the gear ratios is of a great significance.
According to Binotto the engines should not only be focused on getting the best lap time, instead the engine should be able to deliver maximum speed and acceleration on the straight patch.
[Via: Total F1]
