What Does The Future Hold For Ferrari?

Will Ferrari be competitive in the 2006 season? Will the engineers @ Maranello develop a competitive car in the off season which will return Ferrari to dominance?

Will Felipe Massa be able to fill Barichello's shoes as the number 2 @ Ferrari?
If Ferrari does not return to dominance will Herr Schumacher retire?

Will Ferrari be competitive in the 2006 season?
Yes

Will the engineers @ Maranello develop a competitive car in the off season which will return Ferrari to dominance?
No

Will Felipe Massa be able to fill Barichello's shoes as the number 2 @ Ferrari?
No

If Ferrari does not return to dominance will Herr Schumacher retire?
Yes

Michael's future is being discused here: http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75319 :)

People speak of Ferrari having the resources to bounce back - but I'm not so sure they'll dominate again.

In this manufacturer era Mercedes, Toyota, BMW, Honda and Renault are all bigger.

Ferrari is a small volume car maker - and its parent company FIAT is in a real mess

Formula 1 without Ferrari would be like getting into bed with a transvestite... it just wouldnt be the same ;)

Formula 1 without Ferrari would be like getting into bed with a transvestite... it just wouldnt be the same ;)
:rofl: And you would know?

(Sorry I just couldn't resist.)

It could take them a while.They finished 3rd this year and next year we could be looking at the likes of Honda,Toyota and even Red Bull with Ferrari engines making a leap forward.

It's going to be tough at the top and just as tough getting there.

With two more teams helping with tyre development, Bridgestone should be stronger next eyar, which proabbly accounts for about half the gap to the top teams. However, this year's car featured less input from Rory Byrne than before, and if that trend continues it could be that the people moving up to fill the gap aren't capable of matching his efforts. Also, I really don't see Massa as a potential race winner and regard him a puzzling long-term choice, especially with so many young talents who could learn so much from Michael. If the car isn't capable of wins in Michael's hands, 2006 will be his last season, and 2007 could feasibly see them in a serious slump by their standards. If they have a year's warning of Michael's retirement, luring a top driver to replace him might be possible, but not if others don't see a competitive car as likely.

I don't think Massa IS nececessarily a long-term choice.

Ferrari couldn't go out and get an Alonso or Raikkonen, and needed someone of roughly Rubens' caliber to partner TGF at least through the end of 06 when it is widely speculated that he will consider retiring. Anyway, I think Massa is someone that the team and TFG know from his Ferrari testing days, who is a fairly steady hand that won't upset the apple cart until Ferrari can get their next real ace under contract.

I reckon Ferrari are more likely to get their act together next year. Big Schuey's gonna want revenge before he ever does eventually retire, and Massa will be keen to impress. The team will also be very keen to get things right after a lot of problems with this year's car. The new rules (like V8's, for starters) and the absense of an open wallet from Fiat could help decide things, but also with more teams now under the wing of Bridgestone I think their progress will be a lot better.

I certainly wouldn't expect them to dominate, but I reckon they'll be closer to the front, and Big Schuey will probably get some more wins. Rather than their once-powerful selves, I think they'll be the ones throwing another spanner in the works in what could yet prove to be quite an exciting 2006 season.

Just one curiosity... when was the last time Ferrari used a V8 engine in Formula 1? Always remember them for their V12's in the 90's, although I'm not sure if the turbo's were V8's or V6's...

Ferrari used a 2.5 V8 in '55 until '57 and a 1.5 V8 in '64 and '65.

Who knows maybe ferrari will come up with the best v8 next year. With such a massive rule change i think anything could happen

It will be interesting, won't it. With Massa coming aboard and Michael at 36, who knows what can/will happen? Massa is more than likely "on trial" for 2006, to see what he is really capable of. MS will likely ride out the year and make a career decision at that time. For 2007, the drivers picture could be repainted. With Kimi being the most likely to move over when Schumi calls it quits, Massa may or may not fit in for the future. Personally I think he will surprise, at least on the track. His development skills may come into question, but quickness on the track can make up for a lot. He should continue his learning curve with 2 years in succession teaming with former WDC'ers. I expect Massa has found a home but lots can happen before then and likely will. As for the car and tyre development, much will depend on the team's ability to adapt to the V8 technology. But all teams are facing that dilemna. The odds say that Ferrari should be back on form I would think, unless Bridgestone cannot rise to the occasion. As some have already stated, the few extra BS runners should help a great deal in that regard. How many days is it until the 2006 opener? I can't wait.

Ferrari used a 2.5 V8 in '55 until '57 and a 1.5 V8 in '64 and '65.

Yes, and Ferrari are not exactly exploring foreign territory here. Check out this link, if you wish:
http://www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/happenings/2005/august/V8/report.asp

I'm not sure what to predict for Ferrari.

They may hit further lows, but they are capable of bouncing back as all top teams are.

Although they can take their time to get back to their best, I don't mind. ;)

I would actually like Ferrari challenging like they did in 2003 and if they do have a further dicline, I doubt it'll be 21 years again......

People speak of Ferrari having the resources to bounce back - but I'm not so sure they'll dominate again.



I agree.

This is their worst year since 1996, (where they recorded 3 wins, they wouldn't have won 1 this year had it been for the Indy situation), and it took them 3 further seasons to get to the top. (1999 excluded where they won the constructors).

Next year, imo, could be anyones title. If Ferrari, Cosworth, Mercades, Renault, Honda or Toyota get their engines right anyone could win it.

It is completely up in the air. One thing that works in Ferrari's favour is that they abandoned development of the 2005 package a long-time ago. That could pay dividends when combined with their plan for getting the new one out at the start of January.

However, it is impossible, IMHO, to know at the moment (we might get something of a better idea after some testing).

I think the same.


And, we must remember that Ferrari has been a long time a mid-runner team until the current staff organized the whole structure and became unbeatable for years. Williams and Mclaren have done the same before. So it's hard to think that Ferrari would be in a downhill in the next years.