Ferrari: The most iconic and statistically most successful Formula 1 team, was founded in Italy by Enzo Ferrari in1929, and is the only team to have continuously competed in F1 since the inaugural 1950 season.

Ferrari finished third in the 2010 Constructors' championship, over 50 points behind archrivals McLaren and trailing champions Red Bull by over 100 points. The great highlight of the season was the performance of Fernando Alonso who would have won the Drivers' championship but for a strategic mistake at the final race in Abu Dhabi. Nevertheless, Alonso remains committed to Ferrari and will enter the 2011 season as a very strong contender for the championship. Felipe Massa returned to the team in 2010 having suffered a serious head injury in a freak accident in the qualifying session at the Hungarian GP that curtailed his season; he had a somewhat lacklustre season finishing in sixth place far behind fifth placed Jenson Button.

Fernando Alonso driving a Ferrari was a mouth-watering prospect for all F1 fans at the start of 2010, and little has changed. Arguably the best driver of his generation, driving an iconic Ferrari must surely produce another world championship driver title. For the team to win the Constructors' title Massa will have to improve his performance.


Ferrari Facts and Stats

Base:	Maranello - Italy
Team Principal:	Stefano Domenicali
Technical Chief:	Aldo Costa
Drivers:	Felipe Massa (No. 5)
	Fernando Alonso (No. 6)
Chassis:	Ferrari 150 Italia
Engine:	Ferrari 056
Tyres:	Bridgestone Potenza
First Season:	1950
Most Constructor Championships:	16	61, 64, 75, 76, 77, 79, 82, 83, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 08
Most Driver Championships:	15	Alberto Ascari (52, 53),
		Juan Manuel Fangio (56),
		Mike Hawthorn (58),
		Phil Hill (61),
		John Surtees (64),
		Niki Lauda (75, 77),
		Jody Scheckter (79),
		Michael Schumacher (00, 01, 02, 03, 04),
		Kimi Raikkonen (07).
Most wins (all-time):	215	(Until end of season 2010)
Most wins in a season:	15	2004 (Shared with McLaren)
Most all time podiums:	643
Most season podiums:	29
Most one-two finishes:	81
Most pole positions:	205
Most points:	5,391.27
Most points in a season:	262	2004
Most fastest Laps:	224
Highest win percentage:	25%	(For teams with at least 10 wins)
Most F1 fatalities:	7	Charles de Tornaco (Belgium) 1953 [Modena Testing]
		Eugenio Castellotti (Italian) 1957 [Modena Testing]
		Luigi Musso (Italian) 1958 [French GP]
		Peter Collins (British) 1958 [German GP]
		Wolfgang von Trips (German) 1961 [Italian GP]
		Lorenzo Bandini (Italian) 1967 [Monaco GP]
		Giles Villeneuve (Canadian) 1982 [Qualifying Belgian GP]

To appreciate Ferrari one must understand a little more than just the statistics: Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898 in Italy, and from the age of twelve aspired to be a racing driver and fulfilled that dream by racing throughout 1920's and 1930's for Alfa Romeo.

In October 1939 Enzo Ferrari started his own motor racing team; naming the new team, "Scuderia Ferrari", and adopting the now famous prancing horse as the company Logo.

Scuderia is an Italian word, meaning, 'a stable for race horses', and the prancing horse logo is a tribute to the Italian World War I fallen fighter ace, Francesco Baracca, who used the image on his aeroplane to represent sportsmanship, gallantry and boldness.

Ferrari's red colour was originally used because in the early 1900's each country's motor racing team was assigned a colour: Red to Italian cars, Green to British, Blue to France and White / Silver to Germany. When sponsorship started in 1968, many teams changed racing colours but Ferrari maintained their traditional red. It is perhaps Ferrari's sense of racing tradition (and their considerable on track success) that helps ensure Ferrari are the most popular F1 team, their loyal and devoted fans, the Tifosi are normally the most numerous and visible at most venues, but especially at Monza - the home of Italian F1.

From their first race win in 1951, achieved by Froilan Gonzalez at Silverstone, Ferrari has had some of the greatest Formula 1 drivers driving the beautiful red cars: Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio and Mike Hawthorn in the 1950s, Phil Hill and John Surtees in the 1960s, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter and Giles Villeneuve in the 1970s, Alain Prost in the 1990s. However, it is Michael Schumacher and his instrumental role in Ferrari's dominance of the sport at the turn of the century that surpasses the achievements of his illustrious predecessors, and his return to F1 for the 2010 season driving not a Ferrari but a Mercedes must be galling for team Ferrari, but his relatively poor performance at Mercedes and Fernando Alonso's fabulous performance was a considerable compensation

Ferrari and F1 are inseparable, it is impossible to imagine either without the other; such may cause tension and jealously from other teams in the paddock, particularly McLaren. Nevertheless, Ferrari are indeed special, they do represent passion and commitment without excuses or breaking the rules; the very same principles that have guided F1 to the pinnacle of a global spectator sport.    

Afterabc's opinion of the prospects for Ferrari's 2011 season.  

It is said that life is full of surprises, and that may well be true, but in sport in general and F1 in particular, excellence normally shines through, and it is no surprise with sixty years of F1 experience that Ferrari set the benchmark of excellence in F1.

It was widely anticipated that four teams, Ferrari McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes, would dominate the 2010 season. Unfortunately, Mercedes were off the pace, nevertheless 2010 was one of the closest fought seasons and Ferrari although disappointing in the Constructors' were in close contention for the Drivers' title.

Early pre-season predictions are notoriously difficult, particularly with so little testing, however, it is not contentious to suggest that the season will be dominated by 'the' four teams, however, Renault may well be able to close the gap, but unlikely they will be competing for honours in 2011.

Fernando Alonso settled into the team upon signing the contract, and it is hard to imagine him not winning the title with Ferrari. If he is to win, the car must be competitive from the start of the season. The young Spaniard has stated he considers Michael Schumacher his greatest threat, such might well be mind games designed to antagonise the other drivers, but with five world champion drivers on the grid in 2011, Alonso is skilled to try to undermine his opponents and profit from any small advantage.
Following the strategy fiasco at Abu Dhabi, Ferrari was quick and ruthless in reorganising the team supporting Alonso, the change will help to sharpen the team, and improve an already magnificent operation.

Felipe Massa is a good driver, but 2010 was a poor year, perhaps the terrible accident in 2009 had slowed him by merest of micro-seconds, or maybe he was just off form. He must feel the admiration people have for his return to racing, but perhaps more so the respect Alonso engenders for his talents. To play number two, even in a great team, is very hard on the ego. Nevertheless, Massa seems to us a younger version of Rubens Barrichello, much more than a journeyman, but unable to perform consistently throughout the season to win the title. Racing alongside Fernando has increased the pressure on him, and in 2011, with the return of team orders, Fernando will think nothing of insisting his teammate move over to let him pass, and regrettably, Felipe will obey like a puppy seeking a tummy rub.   


 

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