Vettel: Downforce gains have led to 'draggy' SF1000

©Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari's downforce and cornering gains have come to the detriment of the SF1000's speed on the straights.

Last year, cornering speed was a specific weakness of the Scuderia's SF90 while the car was as fast as a bullet down the straights.

Ferrari's engineers subsequently worked hard to improve the downforce qualities of its 2020 contender. But the improvements have led to a trade-off which has hurt the top speed of the SF1000 which Vettel now feels is "draggy".

Leclerc: Ferrari 'has achieved its goal' with SF1000

"We can feel the car is better, I think Sector 3 feels better," Vettel said, echoing comments made yesterday by teammate Charles Leclerc.

"We also know that it does come with a trade. We still have some work to do, we are slower than we want down the straights because we are a bit draggy.

"We are aware of that, but the objective was to put more downforce on the car which I think we did.

"Sector 3 does feel better, but obviously getting out of Sector 3 and down to Turn 1 doesn’t feel as good as last year.

"Certainly in the corners is where you feel the difference, and where we improved, but it looks like others are even a bit faster. That’s where we are I guess. There’s a lot of work to do."

©Ferrari

Overall, Vettel believes that Ferrari's new car represents a step forward relative to last year's charger.

The German hopes some fine-tuning will dial out some excess aerodynamic drag although he insists the current configuration will prove beneficial on race day.

"We worked very hard over winter, and I think our car is a step forward," he added. "Currently it does come with some more drag, but I think we are aware.

"We are pushing as hard as we can to get rid of the drag and make it more efficient. But we also believe that come race day, it gives us an advantage the way it is set up now, so we will see.

"I think it will be key to obviously develop the car, especially since it seems that we’re not the very fastest right now."

Charles Leclerc will take over from Vettel for Friday's final pre-season session.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.