Ferrari "almost matching" Red Bull in corners for first time
Ferrari says its reduced straightline speed at the Brazilian Grand Prix was down to an aerodynamic configuration that meant it "almost matched" Formula 1 rival Red Bull in the corners.

After six consecutive pole positions since the summer break, Ferrari has now gone two races without pole, and was notably slower on the straights in qualifying and the race in Brazil compared to practice.
While that can easily be explained by different engine modes, Ferrari barely registered a straightline speed advantage at Interlagos, where both the Italian team and Mercedes were surprised to see Red Bull almost as quick in a straight line.
Read Also:
Amid speculation this was further proof that consecutive FIA technical directives clamping down further on potential oil burn and fuel flow exploitation, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said after the race that its top-speed edge was reduced because of its car set-up.
"Certainly they [Red Bull and Honda] were fast," said Binotto. "They were fast that around the lap, they were fast on the straight as well.
"We need to analyse it but if I look our qualy compared to them, I think we're almost matching them in grip limited [conditions].
"And it was very close as well on the straightline, in terms of being power limited. So I think it's a balance between aero configuration, what you're choosing.
"It is the very first time maybe where we are so close to them in grip limited, showing that as Ferrari we are moving in a different set-up direction, giving advantage in the cornering."
Both Ferrari drivers failing to finish after Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc collided in the latter stages of the race, which had been more competitive than the previous raced in the United States.
Binotto indicated that there was a tyre-related set-up issue that held Ferrari back in the US, where it had been alleged that Ferrari had lost performance purely because of the FIA's clampdown.
"[Brazil] was similar to a Mexico situation, and the previous races," said Binotto. "We are still lacking a bit of pace in the race – not much, but certainly what's required to make sure that we stay ahead.
"Sebastian was a comfortable third, he was faster than at least a Mercedes and another Red Bull. Charles from 14th would have been on the podium eventually, so I think the race certainly was OK.
"Austin was certainly a bad race for us. Not in the continuity with all the others.
"What happened there is not too clear yet to us. But certainly the car balance was not right, the drivers got in the race difficulty in putting energy into the tyres to warm them up.
"So it's set-up, tyres-related. We took some action from there, but that's something we keep within the team as a specific car situation."
For PRIME users:

Previous article
Brazilian GP: Best of team radio
Next article
Steiner: "Unbelievable" MGU-K glitch cost us podium shot

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Teams | Scuderia Ferrari |
Author | Scott Mitchell |
Ferrari "almost matching" Red Bull in corners for first time
Trending
Is Red Bull Hiding the Real RB16B? | F1 2021
Sergio Perez's First Drive With Red Bull Racing
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
What Red Bull is trying to hide with its RB16B launch
Red Bull made no secret of the fact its 2021 F1 car is an evolution of its predecessor, but in keeping the same foundations while hiding some tightly-guarded updates with its RB16B, the team aims to avoid suffering the same pitfalls of previous years
How Albon plans to fight his way out of Red Bull limbo
Alex Albon has faced the media for the first time since he lost his Red Bull drive at the end of 2020 and dropped out of a Formula 1 race seat altogether. He has a history of bouncing back from setbacks, so here's what he must do to rise again
Ranked! Carlin's greatest F1 graduates
Carlin has helped guide enough drivers to Formula 1 to fill out an entire grid, plus a handful of reserves, to create a remarkable alumni list. With Yuki Tsunoda set to join that group, Motorsport.com has ranked its graduates to grace the grand prix scene...
Why Alfa's 2021 launch says more about its 2022 plans
Alfa Romeo launched its C41 with a revised front nose, but there's little to suggest it will surge up the leaderboard in 2021. As the team frankly admits, it's putting its eggs in the basket labelled 2022 and hoping to hold the eighth place it earned last year
Why Gasly’s AlphaTauri haven is a blessing and a curse
Red Bull opted not to re-sign Pierre Gasly even before it decided to drop Alex Albon and so the Frenchman's Formula 1 journey will continue at AlphaTauri. This has positive and negative connotations for one of last season's star performers.
Eight things Red Bull must do to beat Mercedes in 2021
After seven years of defeat at the hands of Mercedes, Red Bull is as hungry as ever to secure a fifth world championship. But there are key challenges it must overcome in 2021 to switch from challenger to conqueror
How AlphaTauri has adapted to F1's new rules
AlphaTauri launched its AT02, complete with a new livery, as it bids to home in on an already-tight midfield battle. Although there were few outright new parts displayed on the launch render, there might be a few clues into further changes down the line…