Was Ferrari sandbagging in the Monza tests last week?

I know it was only a test but it greatly helps morale and shows the fans of visible power.





I know McLaren is smart...and that this was only a test where aerodynamic and other configurations are tested. But look at the media already talking big things about the so-called "McLaren domination" at Monza!





I know my team is in excellent spirits but with Ferrari not rearing it's head even once in the 3 days of testing, I am very suspicious. I smell something here.





It's pretty obvious that Ferrari has ironed out it's reliability problems and the F2007 is poised for an awesome battle with McLaren in the remaining grands prix.





Anyway, so was Ferrari sandbagging? Or were they genuinely testing and did not care to see their name on top?





I look forward to your answers!|||It's good to see a fan of a rival team showing a healthy fear, respect and paranoia, just as I feel alarmed about McLaren's domination at the Monza test.


I think the times set on the 4th and final day are probably most representative of the current form. McLaren on top, and Ferrari just 4/1000th of a second behind in second, and BMW a further 3/10th back in 3rd. McLaren might be a little bit more ahead of the red cars than a mere 4/1000th, as Pedro was the driver on the 4th day.


I think there was just a little bit of sand bagging going on in the first 3 days though....especially day 2 (Kimi 5th, behind the McLaren 1-2, BMW and most tellingly, a Toyota in 4th!), and day 3 (Massa 4th behind BMW and a surprise Red Bull....Massa was a massive 1.035 sec off the pace).


There was a bit of rain as well which probably affected the track surface and rubbering in.


The geneal trend that I have observed this year in most race weekends is that the McLarens start the Fridays very strong, whereas Ferrari seem to struggle a little with grip (or lack thereof) at the beginning. Also, Ferrari seem to have slightly better pace and consistency over longer runs, and they tend to come good as the track gets rubbered in more. They are also a bit weaker than the Silver cars in the wet.


So, the results that we have seen from the 4 days of testing appear to follow that trend, whether or not they were sand bagging.


BMWs are a threat though...I remember in last year's race, they qualified very high up in the grid with quite a heavy fuel load, and kept Massa behind for a long time. LH, FA, FM and KR will have to be very careful not to get beaten off the start line by the boys from Hinwil.


I don't think much has changed. There is very little separating the championship contenders (in terms of pace, not points). As a Ferrari fan, I would like to think that the red cars are faster than the silver ones, but only time will tell.


As far as the championship is concerned, Ferrari will have to get a few more 1-2's without a slip up, and hope that the McLarens will come to a stand still with smoke coming out of their engines a couple of times. Chances of that happening? Sadly, slim.


And I have the feeling that Ron will get his 15 points back too.......|||Maybe, or simply they feel their Monza package is already set and they were working on something else for the other four remaining races; or fuel calculations, or anything. For all we know they spent the time making a better race strategy.





RP|||well ull never know wid ferrari


tat jean todt is a super slueth


no one ever i mean ever knows wat he is upto


if there is anyone in ferrari i like its him


his strategies is wat has made ferrari wat it is and schumi wat HE is|||i dont think ferrari are sand bagging as they tested new aero parts to suit monza standards, it would be a wasted test session if ferrari were sand bagging|||ferrari and tactics no|||Most likely, Ferrari are on 110% alert at Monza (Ferrari 1-2 in '88 for example).


The momentum is with them but I think McLaren will walk it this weekend.|||Kimi will win in monza!|||I guess its giving you the shivers, right, McLaren?





Sadly, the reports and observations suggests otherwise. Looks like the Ferrari's new aero package, the new oil and certain 2008 specs systems are not working as expected. Finally we are beaten at our strengths, high speed tracks.





I would love to have known that the red racers were having full tanks and letting McLarens have a false sense of security. :-(





But then there is one more shakedown coming up, rest easy till then.


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Marc McLaren, you should be a bit worried. Team McLaren haven't touched the cup since Mika lost it, 8 years is a long wait and we can still crash your party. Wait till this thursday and Luca Badoer will be testing the modified package. And I hate to mention this spoiler, the following thursday is the judgement day. Monza could as well be team McLaren's last chance of glory this year.|||I don't think so. I think Mclaren somehow managed to improve their cars on high-speed tracks. I am a conspiracy theorist and I am skeptical how Mclaren has made such massive improvements this year . . . and then the news about them having Ferrari secrets (which they claim they did not use) surfaces.





If Ferrari were sandbagging, they were doing it a lot because even BMW seemed as fast as them. I think Ferrari's championship ends at Monza. Actually, I am a realist. It ended a few races ago.|||the might well have been. they are usually pretty strong at monza. maybe they were just working on one or two particular things and not bothered about being the fastest. we will find out next Sunday one way or the other. as a fellow McLaren fan i hope they weren't lol.|||sorry sir|||I doubt Ferrari was sandbagging. they may not go full throttle but they certainly won't hold back that much. They still are among the fastest. Maybe they are just taking precautions as Monza is a very high-speed track and they don't want to risk any incidents. WAit till the weekend.......