Ferrari to focus on 2010 car 'soon'

Ferrari will "soon" forgo developing its current formula one car in favour of preparing for next year's world championship tilt.

The defending 2008 constructors' champions are now nearly 80 points behind in this season's teams' battle, while the highest placed Ferrari driver is Felipe Massa, who has 16 points compared with Jenson Button's 64.

"I am confident that we can improve our performance into the next race," president Luca di Montezemolo is quoted as saying by Germany's RTL.

"But it is going to be difficult if not impossible to dramatically change the car within this season without any tests," he said.

The Italian believes this year's campaign was tainted not by Ferrari engineers building a bad car, but largely because of the rules.

He said he is happy that, in 2010, there will be "stable, clear and transparent" regulations.

"Soon we will concentrate fully on next year's car," Montezemolo explained, confirming that the F60's successor will not feature a KERS system.