Ferrari should forget 2014 F1 title hopes says Lotus's Alan Permane
Fernando Alonso has been told he is dreaming if he thinks that the 2014 Formula 1 rule changes offer a total reset in Ferrari's bid to beat Red Bull
The Spaniard said after defeat at the Singapore Grand Prix that his focus was on next year's title battle, because the change to new V6 turbo engines will mean everyone starts from zero.
But Lotus trackside operations director Alan Permane thinks that the scale of Red Bull's current advantage is such that the outfit is still going to be ahead at the start of 2014.
"It is not like Caterham and Marussia are going to start on a level playing field," Permane told AUTOSPORT. "It is not going to happen.
"There will be a bit of a reset, but there won't be a total reset.
"Sebastian [Vettel] has got a two second per lap advantage now, and he is going to carry some of that advantage over into next year.
"And let's face it - Red Bull are better at building a quicker car now, so why are they not going to be better at building it next year?
"I guess there is the impact of the engine, but there is no reason to believe that Renault will not do a competent job with that. They should be fine.
"You can be sure he [Vettel] will have the power and the engine will be fuel efficient.
"Red Bull are still going to be the team to beat next year, and Vettel will be the man to beat."
Permane admitted that the extent of Vettel's advantage in Singapore had been a shock.
"It is 2.5 seconds per lap," he said. "That has got to be mostly him [Vettel], as Mark Webber wasn't anywhere near that.
"I don't suspect he goes flat out apart from qualifying and times like that. It is soul destroying for everyone honestly.
"If I was Fernando, talking about winning the championship? Forget it, they are not even close.
"And they won't even be close next year, if they [Red Bull] have got that sort of advantage now."
Previous article
Webber denies he interacted with marshals in 'taxi ride' incident
Next article
It's Vettel, not Alonso, who needs Raikkonen
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Teams | Ferrari , Team Lotus , Lotus F1 Team |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
