After closing the gap in engine power to Mercedes this year, Ferrari is looking to make some big changes to the rest of its car in order to be ahead of its main rivals next year.
Ferrari made a slow start to 2014 following a change in engine regulations, but over the winter made significant gains by addressing its weaknesses. After winning three races in 2015, team principal Maurizio Arrivabene genuinely believes his team now has a platform from which it can leapfrog the world champions.
"If you want my honest expectation [for 2016], it is not to be closer to them but to be in front of them," Arrivabene said. "I tell you that with humility, but we are closer even now so we must be in front next year."
Arrivabene says his team's data suggests Ferrari's engine is now a match for Mercedes, but Maranello still has the potential to make more progress with the rest of the car.
"Looking at the data, we are there [on power] because our engine department have done a great job and I want to take this occasion to thank them because, for us, the engine is the core of the car. I know we have other parts of the car where we have to work but this year it was not possible to make some huge changes. But we look forward for next year."
Asked if Ferrari could make similar gains to this year's, Arrivabene said: "Of course, this is what we are doing - we are looking to improve the car in every single part. The engine was a big improvement for this year, and next year we are working very hard on all the other parts of the car."
