Ferrari: suspension benefit yet to come

As well as aerodynamic and engine improvements introduced for Imola, the Maranello outfit have also revised their suspension to try and help the car be a bit easier on its rear tyres.

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn believes that the move will allow the team to run softer tyre compounds at future events - which should lead to improved performance.

"We have developed the rear suspension to reduce tyre degradation," said Brawn. "It has a slightly different geometry, which our simulation shows doesn't make a lot of difference over a single lap but it does work the tyre less.

"At the time we conceived it, tyre degradation was a major factor for us, but the rear constructions we have from Bridgestone now are very consistent and very solid.

"What we have to do now is explore even softer compounds to take full advantage of it. There's a gain in consistency, but it's not a black and white difference."

As well as the possibility of increased pace from being able to run softer tyres, Ferrari are also pushing ahead with plans to introduce a seamless shift gearbox later this season.

Brawn said the team will only introduce the system when they are convinced it is fully reliable, although he does not believe the advantage of seamless shift is as great as some make out.

"There is a gain in a seamless shift gearbox, but it's not as huge as people think," he said. "We'll introduce it when we're happy with the reliability, and we're not happy with the reliability yet. We need to see the performance gain that we get from it.

"The new rear suspension has meant a completely different gearbox case, so we chose that as a priority over the new seamless shift gearbox."