Ferrari could be in big trouble this season as their F1 car for 2020 has major problems, with reports that its latest challenger has not met expectations from early wind tunnel data.

There has been much speculation in German and Italian media outlets that the new car could also have a severe aerodynamic error that the team’s simulation specialists have not yet been able to find.

According to crash.net, sources within Ferrari have confirmed that data on its latest car is “far worse than expected.”

Ferrari’s 2020 model is set to be unveiled at its Maranello headquarters by drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc on February 11, a week before pre-season testing gets underway in Barcelona.

Meanwhile, early indications from Mercedes’ 2020 bench tests suggest its W11 is performing even higher than forecast projected.

The Silver Arrows brought an underdeveloped W10 to the opening test in Barcelona last year and somewhat fooled its rivals with initial adverse reports on handling and drivability issues, before it unleashed a revised package at the second test that went on to race at Melbourne and subsequently win the opening eight events.

Ferrari are under immense pressure this season to make improvements on their 2019 challenger, the SF90, which proved to have the necessary speed to compete at the top, but both Vettel and Leclerc struggled at times to control the car.

The Scuderia once again finished runner-up to Mercedes in the championship last season, with the German manufacturer continuing its dominance of the V6 hybrid era by taking 15 wins from 21 races on its way to wrapping up a sixth consecutive championship double.

The technical problems Ferrari have encountered with their new car have caused major headaches for both mechanics and aerodynamicists, and with the new simulator not due to be completed before spring, the Maranello-based outfit may very well be starting the season on the back foot.