Writer: Red5 
Date:Friday March 9 2012
Time: 12:00PM
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Ferrari under pressure
A lot of the winter testing talk has focussed on Ferrari, with everyone wondering if they have fallen further behind Red Bull and McLaren.
The Ferrari drivers didn't talk to the press in Barcelona, while analysis of their times appeared to suggest that their aggressive approach for 2012, which has been much talked about over the past six to nine months has failed.
Of course looking at the times only gives a hint of what a car is possibly doing, with only educated guesses regarding fuel loads, test set-ups, race simulations giving any kind of indication in comparison to other cars.
Teams could also be sandbagging, hiding their true potential before they get to Australia to blow the opposition away, which many predict that Red Bull are doing.
This could always be the case for Ferrari, however it seems unlikely with technical director Pat Fry confessing that he doesn't believe the Ferrari will be ready to fight for a podium finish in Australia.
The news has not pleased Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, who demands a competitive car for his team and the Ferrari fans.
'I hope that the predictions about us are wrong.
'And if they are true I will want to know why this has happened and how much time it's going to take to put it right.' di Montezemolo told the BBC.
Some rumours have even suggested that Ferrari are making modifications to the new car's chassis. Changes are not unusual in Formula One, with Red Bull and McLaren already introducing upgrades to their cars in Barcelona.
But was is different in Ferrari's case is that they could even be significant enough for the team to require a new crash test.
This has been denied by the team, but there is quite often no smoke without fire.
di Montezemolo added: 'I spoke to Alonso and he said that there are many positive features on the car, but it will take time to unlock their potential.
'It's a car still to be discovered and only in Melbourne will we know where we are.'
While their true position is up in the air, it would appear that Ferrari are already under pressure and the season is yet to begin.
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