Fisi tests F10 as Button ponders ‘unusual’ Ferrari slump

As Ferrari bids to return to the pace, test driver Giancarlo Fisichella was at the wheel of the F10’s latest specification late last week.

On Thursday, the Roman conducted an aerodynamic test at Vairano, with the specific package to be raced at Montreal’s unique Circuit Gille Villeneuve this weekend.

However, the major upgrade is not due until the following Valencia round, with the Maranello based team confirming that in Canada the car will be in essentially “the same specification” as it was in Turkey two weeks ago.

At Istanbul Park, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso were notably off the pace.

“It’s quite unusual,” McLaren’s Jenson Button told the Toronto media at an event on Tuesday.

“They (Ferrari) had the perfect winter.  They were very quick, very consistent and very reliable and we were thinking, ‘Wow, those guys are going to be untouchable’.

“But they can come back.  They’re a very strong team, Fernando and Felipe have the experience.  You can’t ever count them out.  We never forget them,” added the reigning world champion.

Team boss Stefano Domenicali said Ferrari must avoid becoming downbeat about its situation.

“That would be no use when there are still two thirds of the season yet ahead,” he is quoted by the French language Canadian newspaper La Presse.

“We put a lot of energy into developing our F-duct and that may have delayed slightly other areas,” added Domenicali.

“Many things can change from race to race and we are certainly not lowering our heads and becoming downcast — that is for those who do not reach their goals, and that is certainly not the case with Ferrari.”

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