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2011 development to stop after Singapore – Domenicali

Development of Ferrari’s current car will stop after Singapore in two weeks, team boss Stefano Domenicali has announced.

Fernando Alonso is the highest ranked non-Red Bull driver in the 2011 points standings, but his deficit is a huge 102 points with just seven races to go.

This weekend is Ferrari’s home race at Monza, where the Italian team is hoping to impress the Tifosi.

“We have a specific package for Monza and some small improvements for Singapore,” Sky Italia quotes Domenicali as saying.

“After that, the car won’t be changed, because in Maranello we are working on the 2012 project.  The goal is being competitive from the very first race, because we can’t afford a bad start,” he added.

And even now, more than a quarter of Ferrari’s resources are already dedicated to the 2012 project, technical boss Pat Fry has told Corriere della Sera.

When asked how he is splitting his time at present, the Briton answered: “50 per cent on this year, 25 per cent on next year and 25 per cent to the reorganisation.

“But in the wind tunnel we are working half (2011) and half (2012),” added Fry.

Domenicali said Ferrari will then use the rest of 2011 to “learn how to use these (Pirelli) tyres in all conditions”.

“So we will be aggressive even if the championship is gone,” he added.

He insists 2011 “will be the last disappointing season” under his reign.

“We are laying the groundwork for an unbeatable structure,” he told La Repubblica newspaper.

“Alonso believes in it.  He is in the heart of his career and has signed with us to 2016, which is not something a winner would do if he was not convinced,” added Domenicali.

Asked to compare the results of his reign with that of his predecessor Jean Todt, Domenicali continued: “He (Todt) won a lot, but he had time to create a winning team with an outstanding balance.  That is also my goal.”

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