Would Ferrari have had to change their tyres anyway?

Question

With this weekends latest FIA blunder, Ferrari seem very upset and beleive their race was ruined.

Yes, the FIA shouldn't rely on emails.
Yes, they should've noticed that they hadn't had their confirmation from the Scuderia.

But, there's no way on Earth that Ferrari could've kept up with the pace car if they'd stayed on intermediate tyres. They would've had to pit and change the tyres anyway - so did it really make that much difference.

Answer 1

They would have had to come in for a tire change. Other cars using extreme wet tires could barely find the grip to make it around track. I remember seeing at least four cars spin off the track during the first two laps under the safety car. It would have been impossible for ferrari to race with intermediates.

Answer 2

An email can be tracked efficiently and can be verified if the recepient claims delay. So Ferrari cannot just say that they didnt get it, it can be easily disproved. Looks like a genuine communication error. And the FIA has acknowledged this, adding the traditional hard copy special notification along with electronic delivery henceforth.

I'd say that Ferrari would have started with extreme wets if they had got the communique. At a critical championship state, they wouldnt have risked a loss-of-track-position pit stop. It was a racing gamble, compounded by the FIA error.

And I would still support electronic notification, it ensures impartial delivery (except in extraordinary situations like Fuji). Otherwise the teams nearer to the steward's office would get the message first, giving unfair advantage.

Answer 3

I don't know what Ferrari was thinking for even wanting to risk intermediates, email or no email. Massa is not great when driving in the rain and needs all the grip he can get. I could see them taking a chance on Kimi being the more experienced driver. If the extreme wets were not a requirement, Mclaren might also have also been tempted to put its drivers on intermediates seeing Ferrari having them.

Answer 4

oh yes I'm 100% sure they would have had to come in. I mean they couldn't keep it on the track in the super wets could they, so if they had carried on on the wets (inters) i'm sure they would have hit a wall somewhere. I am also sure that if the commentators heard about it someone at ferrari heard about it too.

neohioguy1962 it was a demand, not a reccommendation, by race director Charlie Whiting that the race be started on super wet tyres. He said that a car would be deemed unsafe if starting behind the safety car with anything other than the super wets. Ferrari claimed they didn't recieve the email notifying them. they went out on wets (inters)!!!!!!!

Answer 5

I think it was clear enough to use the right tyres (in Italy called 'full wet' or something...)Scuderia Ferrari probably thought it was going to stop raining or WHAT??
having used intermediate tyres has been completely wrong ( I actually don't know what was crossing their mind when decided it was right).....'cos Ferrari could have won, had it started the race with the right tyres... we're pretty good on wet racing circuit

great race anyway....
FORZA FERRARI !!!

Answer 6

The tyres would have needed to be changed..there was just too much water on the track.

BUT....if they had not been issued a missive from the FIA, then maybe other teams would olso have tried the inters.

unfortunalty we will never know.

Answer 7

I have no clue why they thought they could start on intermediates in that race. To me they ruined their own race by doing that.

Answer 8

I don't understand why the teams rely on the FIA for wet tire recommendations. Shouldn't they employ their own meteorologists or at least have access to weather information (sorry to say this, like in NASCAR)?

Answer 9

well a change is good

Answer 10

i don't know, but i like ferrari's!