Ferrari have explained that they based their programme at this week's opening pre-season test around "three key elements". Ferrari impressed many in the F1 paddock at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as they featured towards the top of the timesheets across the three days of running and completed more mileage than any other team . Carlos Sainz claimed midway through the test that Ferrari were "nowhere near the limit" with the F1-75 , and the team's Racing Director, Laurent Mekies, has now outlined exactly what they have been focusing on so far. "Overall, this has been a solid test session for us as we completed many laps," reflected Mekies after Sainz and Charles Leclerc's various stints at the wheel. "We got through most of our programme, which was based around three key elements. Firstly to get an initial read on reliability, hence our primary focus on the number of laps completed. "Secondly to map several parameters of our car, from aero performance to tyre performance, to vehicle dynamics performance. We have a long list of scans to work through and we got through a fair number of them over these three days. "Last but not least, it was important to give our drivers sufficient laps to familiarise themselves with what is a completely new car. It calls for a different driving style and a different approach to the various racing conditions."
Ferrari expecting an "intense fight" in 2022
Mekies went on to speak about the wider preparations for the team over the three days of testing action in Spain and how the Scuderia are bracing themselves for an "intense fight" as F1's new era begins. "It was also good for the race team to be back at the track," added Mekies. "For them, it was a useful warm-up before what will be a long and intense season, getting used to procedures such as the pit-stops and, for the various crews that make up the team, to all be back working together again and interacting well with our drivers." He added: "We still have a lot of work ahead of us and we can expect an intense fight, so everyone has many items on their job list now. "Our thanks must go to everyone back at the factory, who have worked so hard over the past few months to ensure we arrived at the race track well prepared. "It's only the first step of a long year, when we intend to push very hard, working all together."
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