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Shifting balance puzzles Ferrari

ESPNF1 Staff
March 2, 2012 « Sir Frank steps down from Williams board | Schumacher admits to error »
Fernando Alonso completed a race simulation in the F2012 on Friday © Getty Images
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Ferrari technical director Pat Fry has admitted he is still trying to understand some of the negative characteristics of the new F2012.

Ferrari had a tricky start to testing, but appeared to find a solution towards the end of second test at Barcelona after a good afternoon with Felipe Massa at the wheel. The problem is with the balance of the car which has a tendency to change over the course of a long run, making it a handful for the driver.

"Yesterday we dropped in and out of having a good balance, and that's something we are working to understand still," Fry said. "I think yesterday there were times when the car was good and then it suddenly changed, and that's what we're trying to understand."

But Fry reckons Ferrari is in "reasonable shape" and said a lot would rest on the four upgrades set to be added to the car over the remaining two days of testing.

"You're always going to be happier when you're sat there half a second a lap quicker than anyone knowing that you've still got 60 kilos of fuel in the car," he added. "I think we've got a lot of work to do and we just need to keep on [pushing]. New bits are coming through and we need to first sort out exactly what we've got and understand how to deal with the car balance and then it's a case of getting the last few developments onto the car. There's another four reasonable development items coming through before Sunday."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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