BAHRAIN, April 23: Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali fears further “suffering” this weekend could result in a piece of unwanted history.
For the first time since 1981 Ferrari have failed to score a point in the opening three grands prix of the season as mistakes combined with mechanical failures have undermined the performances of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen.
But never in their illustrious past has the Prancing Horse started a year without a point from the first four races and that is the frightening prospect that hangs over the team in Bahrain.
Like their bitter rivals McLaren, Ferrari have not made the most of the new regulations, although their cause was hampered last year as they ploughed time and resources into the title fight.
That has led to them starting off on the wrong foot this season and a changing of the guard at the head of the pack, yet, unlike McLaren, they have not taken a noticeable step forward.
That is likely to happen at the Spanish Grand Prix early next month as a new aero package, combined with the now renowned double-decker diffuser, will be in evidence.
But for this weekend at the Sakhir circuit, Domenicali is warning the team’s ardent followers to expect more pain, with little gain.
