As predicted by our earlier (Ferrari F2010 – F61 – 661 Preview) article, Ferrari remain optimistic for their 2010 car. Ferrari believes its 2009 season was destined for failure after double diffuser ruling but added it’s good that everyone is now on the same page.

Ferrari did not adopt the double-diffuser concept used by team Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota and it found it difficult to integrate it onto their the F60. After having developed the technology, Ferrari found as expected that their car was simply not built with the design in mind and that this year’s championship was as good as lost.

Well aware of their chances Ferrari made a decision before the Hungarian Grand Prix to shift all its development resources onto its 2010 challenger.

When talking to Autosport, Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali expressed confidence towards next years car.

The Italian media along with many Tifosi are almost relieved that the 2009 F1 season is over. Ferrari endured a hard and almost painful and fruitless season. The Scuderia had a handful of podiums, one victory at the hands of Kimi and some non-point scoring races that crippled it’s chances at securing 3rd place in the constructors standings. Ferrari lost that honour to rival McLaren, which had a fantastic turn-around at the half-season mark. It is the first time in several years that the Ferrari has not finished in the top 3 in the race for the Constructor’s championship.

Abu Dhabi may be the home of the Ferrari World Amusement Park, but there certainly was nothing Amusing to think about after the Abu Dhabi GP. Ferrari lost out to McLaren on 3rd place in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship by a single point. During the race Ferrari had a chance to outscore rivals McLaren with pole sitter Luis Hamilton having to retire from the race due to a rear brake failure but the F60 the development of which stopped before the Hungarian GP simply did not have enough pace. Kimi Raikkonen in his last race with the Scuderia finished a lonely 12th 54.3 seconds behind the leader. With teammate Giancarlo Fisichella in what many believe may be his last GP in F1 (the Italian bound for testing duties with the Scuderia) finishing 16th 1 lap down.

Scuderia Ferrari are set for a difficult race in Abu Dhabi, scheduled to start in just a matter of hours. Ferrari looking to win the 3rd place in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship are starting the GP in 11th (Kimi Raikkonen) and 20th (Giancarlo Fisichella). On the other hand their rivals for 3rd place in the F1 WCC will start from Pole (Luis Hamilton) and 18th (Heikki Kovalainen) despite a gearbox change on the Finn’s McLaren.