Before the start of the Qatar Grand Prix, journalists from Ferrari’s press service interviewed the head of the simulator department, Enrico Sampo…
Q: The last time we raced at Losail was in 2021, in non-ground effect cars. Is the information collected relevant now?
Enrico Sampo: Returning to a circuit where we only rode once two years ago requires more thorough preparation. But the 2021 data is still useful, especially regarding the track configuration, which remains virtually unchanged.
Testing our calculations on the simulator will be the main task of the Friday training. Running a simulator is extremely important in predicting how a car will behave on the track. Together with the riders we worked on the basic settings, simulating different scenarios to respond to any changes.
Question: What are the characteristics of the circuit in Qatar?
Enrico Sampo: The track has 16 turns and only one long straight. In the first sector the corners are medium-fast, in the second they are fast. The only really slow corner is the sixth.
Losail is a high-speed circuit where you need good aerodynamic downforce and high efficiency when setting up the car. When cornering at high speed, it is important to monitor the temperature and behavior of the tires to avoid overheating and excessive wear.
Q: How did you come to Ferrari, what does working at the Scuderia mean to you?
Enrico Sampo: I have been working for the Scuderia since 2011, after studies in Italy, Germany and Great Britain, where I specialized in dynamics and simulation.
I held various positions in the team and about three years ago I started managing the simulator.
Ferrari is a global brand, wearing the colors of this team is a reason to be proud. We are an example of Italian craftsmanship all over the world and an inspiration to all of Italy.
Like all my colleagues, I feel a responsibility to the fans, and the history of this team always pushes me to give the best of myself in all my work and in everything I do.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
