F 2004

• Most successful chassis: S/N 239 with 8 Grand Prix victories
• 14th Constructors World Championship for Ferrari with 262 points.
• 14th Driver World Championship for Ferrari and 5th Driver World Championship titel for Michael Schumacher with Ferrari – 148 points.
• Vice-Champion: Rubens Barrichello with 114 points
• 13 Grand Prix victories by Michael Schumacher
• 2 victories for Rubens Barrichello

Ferrari Press releases:
Source: Ferrari

The F2004 presented at Maranello

Maranello, 26th January 2004 – The F2004 was officially presented today at around 11am. The new Formula 1 single-seater from the Maranello Scuderia will compete in the F1 World Championship that kicks off in Melbourne, Australia on 7th March.Sticking with tradition, Antonio Ghini, the Ferrari Director of Communication and Brand Management, opened the F2004 presentation ceremony – one that was held in the vast hanger that is the Vecchia Meccanica at Maranello. ‘Last year we presented our new car in the Nuova Logistica at Fiorano; the year before we used the Nuova Meccanica, one of the buildings constructed for ‘Formula Uomo’. This was a project that enjoyed the full backing of President Montezemolo whose aim was to establish an environment in which staff could go about their work in the best possible conditions,’ outlined Ghini. ‘This year, we are in a building that represents perfectly the link between our history and our future; a space in which mechanical work was carried out in the past and which in future will house the production line.’Ghini then invited the General Director of the Gestione Sportiva, Jean Todt, onto the stage. Todt politely stated that he preferred not make the expectant guests wait longer than was necessary and so called for Luca Badoer, Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher to join him: ‘This is what we are here for and so I would like to ask the drivers to come up and unveil the F2004, the single-seater that will fly the flag for Italy, the Group and our team in the F1 World Championship.’ The drivers duly drew back the shiny red drape and the anxious public could finally admire the F2004. The crowd burst into applause as the car dazzled under the photographers’ flashlights.

The F2004, the single seater

Maranello, 26th January – The F2004 is the fiftieth car built by Ferrari to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship. The project, which goes by the code number 655, represents a further evolution of the concepts already seen in the F2003-GA. However, every element of the car has been completely redesigned in an attempt to create the best environment to get the most out of the new 053 Engineand the Bridgestone tyres. The aerodynamic configuration has been fine tuned in the light of changes to the technical regulations, improving the efficiency of the package. Furthermore the car boasts a lower centre of gravity, while weight distribution has been improved as regards the chassis and the Engine.The chassis is new, both in terms of design and construction. Its weight has been reduced and it has an improved structure when compared with the F2003-GA. The bodywork, exhausts and the rear end have been redesigned, producing an improvement in aerodynamic performance. The front and rear suspension has been revised in order to improve the vehicle’s dynamic handling which leads to a greater efficiency in terms of getting the most out of the Bridgestone tyres, while also optimising the performance of the aerodynamic package. New materials have been used in the Engineand transmission in order to reduce its size and weight. Modifications to the sporting regulations regarding the number of Engines that can be used in the course of a Grand Prix weekend set new targets for the 053 Enginedesign project: achieving the optimum reliability level, even though Enginelife now has to be double that in the past, while striving to improve performance. Once again the Engineis a stressed member and is mounted longitudinally. Shell has played an important role in the research and design of the 053 and in terms of reaching the performance and reliability targets, coming up with new fuel and lubricants.The transmission is once again mounted longitudinally to maintain the same layout as on the F2003-GA. It is a completely new design, providing a reduction in size and weight. The titanium gearbox has seven speeds (plus reverse) and, because of changes to the technical regulations, is operated directly by the driver. In keeping with a trend initiated by Ferrari back in 1997, which is now standard Formula 1 practice, the car features high-level exhausts, but compared with previous versions, they are mounted nearer the car’s centre line. The F2004 represents a further step forward in the history of Ferrari’s single seaters. A great deal of time and attention was paid to making the most of the new materials and to optimising the various design stages as well as the quality control methods, all aimed at improving overall reliability and performance while making the car as safe as possible.

The F2004, technical specification

Model F2004

Engine Type 053, V10, cylinder block in cast aluminium

Total displacement 2,997 cm3

Timing gear Pneumatic distribution, 40 valves

Fuel feed Magneti Marelli digital electronic injection

Ignition Magneti Marelli static electronic ignition

Transmission Ferrari longitudinal gearbox. limited-slip differential. Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox, 7 gears + riverse

Chassis Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure

Suspension Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear

Brakes Ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes

Length 4545 mm

Width 1796 mm

Height 959 mm

Wheelbase 3050 mm

Front track 1470 mm

Rear track 1405 mm

Weight with water, lubricant and driver 605 kg

Wheels (front and rear) 13′

Montezemolo: ‘Great excitement and a desire to do well’

Maranello, 26th January – As usual, the President of the Ferrari Maserati Group, Luca di Montezemolo, was last to take to the stage at today’s ceremony to present the new single-seater. Before his main speech, he read a telegram from the FIAT president, Umberto Agnelli, who could not make it to Maranello: ‘I am sorry that I cannot be there with you in person, but I am there in spirit – like every single Italian who is expecting the cars and the drivers to have another positive year. A hug to the whole team, Umberto Agnelli.’President Montezemolo then began by thanking all those present: ‘This is a very important and exciting moment, it’s as if it is the first time, and I am happy to have all the components of our world here in this historic building with our people, our product and all those behind the scenes. Most importantly, I would like to thank our technological partners who provide a crucial input to our work. What we have achieved over these years would have been impossible without their support. Then we have the world that is our region, with President Vasco Errani, and that of the province, with President Pattuzzi, and all the other local authorities’, underlined Montezemolo. ‘We have very close ties to you and that which represents, especially in this fundamental and difficult moment to gain the trust of our country. For this reason we will try to concentrate very hard on the core value for each entrepreneur: our staff; the stability of the whole; a strong, tight team that allows young talent to blossom and budding technicians to come through; and the car, our product. It is all based on capable people, hours and hours of work, continuous improvement, advanced research and technological risks. Even if this is an important evolution, it is one, logically, of a winning car.’‘The fundamental parts of our world are our clients, and our fans from all over the world,’ enthused Montezemolo. ‘They go to the circuits with their flags and display their affection and they stick by us even in trying times.’
President Montezemolo then confirmed what Jean Todt had already touched on: ‘This morning we found ourselves with the drivers and Jean Todt and we were so focused and worried that it was as if we had never won anything ever and this is an encouraging sign: the desire to go one better.It is clear that that will be the theme this year: some want to start winning and some want to continue winning. With the exception of General Motors and the Audi-Volkswagen Group, all of the biggest automobile manufacturers are involved in F1. They are competitors we respect, that we have beaten and who we hope to continue beating, though we know it will be very tough.‘This is what pleases me: compactness, solidity, a united front to get through the good and the bad times, which there always are. Schumacher has beaten all the records out there as a Ferrari driver, Rubens Barrichello has contributed in a determined way and has won us Constructors titles since he has been here. Luca Badoer performs a tough but precious job.’ ‘This is our life: one of passion and responsibility. We know what it means to be at Ferrari, with the eyes of the world trained upon us. It will certainly be a challenging year, a very difficult one. I hope 2004 is as close as last season, but that we come out on top again in the end. Everyone needs to be focused from the off; last year we didn’t make the most of our early opportunities. The task this year is to start well. We are aware that our competition will be tough and that in sport, as in life, for good or bad, the wheels keep on turning. We are already ready to win in 2005 if, in 2004, we lose out. This, though, is something I don’t even want to consider.’‘It’s with this spirit,’ concluded Montezemolo, ‘that I wish the team the greatest success and would like to salute the exceptional people behind the creation of these great cars: from the drivers to the technicians and Engineers for having won five consecutive Constructors’ and four Drivers’ titles. It is not enough to have the best car and the best driver to win; you also need an excellent team. Good luck and Forza Ferrari!’

Todt: ‘Single-seater the product of a great team’

Maranello, 26th January ‘ ‘This is the car that will compete in the Formula 1 championship this year, the F2004. It is a car that combines years of Ferrari F1 experience and success and is the fruit of the excellence of the technical group supervised by Ross Brawn and the project head, Rory Byrne.’ This was how the General Director of the Gestione Sportiva, Jean Todt, introduced to the newly-revealed F2004.‘A short while ago I was with the President and the drivers discussing our objectives for the coming season and the feeling during our conversation was one of great impatience, a real desire to do well’, revealed Todt. ‘It’s like starting from zero all over again, as if we have forgotten the five consecutive Constructors’ titles we have won since 1999 – a record in automobile history -and the four consecutive Drivers’ championships collected since 2000 by Michael Schumacher, allowing him to become the most successful driver in F1 history. This says everything about our motivation.’Todt went on to underline how important the partners and sponsors were to Ferrari: ‘Bridgestone, Shell, the contribution of the Group head, Fiat, with its research centre and Magneti Marelli, Alenia Aeronautica and all the other partners are fundamental’, stressed Todt. ‘This single-seater is the result of the important contributions of long term sponsors like Philip Morris, Vodafone and others like AMD and Olympus. Thanks to them we have achieved extraordinary results in the past and thanks to them we have great expectations for 2004.‘This year we will have eighteen Grands Prix including the two new ones (Barhain and Cina) and the return of Spa’, explained Todt. ‘The competition will be tough because they can’t put up with Ferrari always being ahead of the pack any longer. We have a strong squad, a winning one. Stability is our strong point. Luca Badoer has been at Ferrari for seven years and his role as a test driver is a difficult but crucial one. Rubens, after five years with us, has recently signed until 2006. Michael is in his ninth year at Maranello. He has won four Drivers’ crowns and is also contracted to stay until 2006. The whole team is well drilled and extremely motivated, so there is not much left to say but: Forza Ferrari!’Jean Todt concluded by inviting Ross Brawn to the stage. He was followed by Rory Byrne and Paolo Martinelli who gave a technical rundown of the F2004.

Ross Brawn: ‘This is the best Ferrari we have produced…so far!’

Maranello, 26th January – For 2004 we have a number of new regulations. The size of the Enginecover and the size of the rear wing endplates have been increased to create more space for sponsorship. The rear wing has been limited to two elements to provide a small reduction in downforce. The gearbox must now be operated manually and automatic starting systems have been banned. There has also been an increase in the minimum strength of the wheel tether system.Significantly, we are limited to one Enginefor the duration of the whole event, practice, qualifying and the race and this requires Engines with twice the life of a 2003 Engine.The practice and qualifying schedule has also changed, meaning that Friday will now be a car set up day. We will have two consecutive qualifying sessions on Saturday afternoon, the second qualifying session determining grid position and also signifying the commencement of parc ferme meaning race fuel levels will be used.Pit lane speed liwiths have risen from 80kph to 100kph, reducing pit stop times by a small amount.Our analysis of the 2003 season has highlighted the areas where we were strong and those where we were weak. Certainly, we did not react aggressively enough to the opportunities presented by the 2003 regulation changes and for 2004, we have worked to ensure that we will not make the same mistake.Rory will give you a technical description of the new car, but once again this car represents another significant step in performance and I am proud to say that this is the best Ferrari we have produced”’so far.One of the reasons we are able to progress each year is stability. It is a stability that bonds the Team during difficult periods, such as in 2003. But it also a stability that allows us to grow from within. For the past few years our objective has been to develop key members of our staff so that they will become the Rory Byrnes or Ross Brawns at Ferrari in the future. As part of this plan we have made a number of changes for 2004. Luca Baldisserri will become our Chief Race Engineer, with responsibility for race Engineering activities, including race strategy. Aldo Costa has taken more overall responsibility for this car than previous Ferraris and this trend will continue for the next few years. John Iley has joined as Head of Aerodynamics, and is now responsible for our Aerodynamic activities. Many of our key staff are expanding their fields of responsibility and we can look forward to the future with optimism.One of the key elements to our eventual success in 2003 was our Technical Partnerships. We had a tremendous response and support from all of our partners without exception. Perhaps the most crucial partnership is with Bridgestone.What must be understood is that during a tyre war of the intensity and level we have experienced in the last few seasons, no tyre company can be totally dominant.We will succeed or fail on the strength of our tyres. This does not mean that we expect Bridgestone to shoulder that responsibility alone. We are not going to step back and say ‘ it is up to you Bridgestone’. No, we have built a strong technical and human partnership and both partners must share the responsibility of producing the most competitive tyres. We will succeed together and we will fail together. And if we fail, then we will need to work harder and work smarter. Testing continues with our 2003 car and we now have five major tests before the beginning of the season. We have been testing for several months using many major components from the 2004 car such as cooling systems, transmission components and Enginecomponents and we are pleased with progress.Our new car will run at Fiorano at the end of this week with Michael driving. The programme will then continue for the whole of February at Fiorano, Mugello and Imola. All the major crash testing has already been successfully completed with the second new car and that will join the test programme Later changed over to in February.2003 was an extremely challenging year and many difficult questions were asked of Ferrari. We faced these challenges and answered these questions with the spirit of which we are all proud.We cannot guarantee to win, but we can guarantee to always try our best.Forza Ferrari.

Rory Byrne: ‘A further step forward on performance’

Maranello, 26th January – Although the fundamental design philosophy of the F2004 is the same as its predecessors, in terms of optimising aerodynamic efficiency, lowering of centre of gravity height and maximising performance available from the Bridgestone tyres and 053 Engine, every area of the car has been revised in order to make a further step forward on performance, so almost every component has been redesigned. In addition all the systems have been reviewed to maximise performance and service ability with the new race week-end timetable and procedures.To summarise, there have been less fundamental but more detailed changes made. I will explain in more detail:

1. Aerodynamics:

The Enginecover and rear wing assembly have had to be fundamentally revised to comply with the new 2004 regulations. In order to continue to make a step forward in aerodynamic performance, every area affecting the aerodynamics has been further developed and many new components will be introduced during our test programme in February so the car we will race in Melbourne will look different in many areas to the one you see here.

2. Transmission:

A new approach to the use of materials for the gearbox casing and the rear crash structure has resulted in a considerable weight saving. The transmission internals are a development of F2003GA with many detailed refinements including a further optimisation of gear tread tyrese and lubrication system.

3. Chassis:

Although there are no fundamental changes to the chassis construction, it is completely new in term of shape, which is a result of the cars aerodynamic requirements.

4. Suspension and Steering:

There are refinements to the power steering system to improve assistance and driver feel. Another year of close collaboration with Bridgestone has improved our understanding of the interaction of track surface, tyre and car, and enabled us to make more detailed refinements to the suspension to optimise performance more specifically for each circuit. Almost all of the components have been redesigned and some have manufactured using new materials and methods to optimise structural efficiency and save weight.

5. Systems:

New regulations requiring manual starts and gear shifting as well as the requirement to send information to the new FIA data acquisition system have required an extensive revision to the electronic hardware and software. The water system as well as Engine, transmission and hydraulic oil systems have again been substantially revised for improved efficiency and suit new Enginerequirements.To produce this all new car with most of the components redesigned has required a tremendous effort from all at Gestione Sportiva and I would like to thank everyone for their contribution in producing the F2004.

Paolo Martinelli: ‘One Enginefor the entire race weekend’

Maranello, 26th January – The new F1 V10 Engine, to be used in the 2004 championship, has been developed using Ferrari’s technological and design skills and is called the 053.The new regulations for 2004 demand that a driver use just one Enginefor the entire race weekend, which means that the life of an Enginemust be substantially increased. Furthermore great attention must be paid to its reliability, especially in the second half of its ‘working life’ which will coincide with Sunday’s race. To use an analogy, one could say that our not inconsiderable objective is to have an Enginewhich runs well and strongly from its ‘Forties to its Eighties.’Therefore, the design and evaluation of the 053 Engine, which started life as an evolution of its predecessor, the 052, prioritised reliability in its mission tread tyrese.The majority of Enginecomponents have been revised or designed from scratch: the Enginecan be adapted, or in technical-speak, be ‘mapped’ to suit the requirements of the championship (by this I am thinking of the various circuit types and the different ambient temperatures which can be encountered.)There are two key elements which shaped the 053 Engineproject:1. reliability extended to exceed 700 km, while conserving the required levels of performance and driveability. 2. a strong degree of integration with the car design, which has led to a functional optimisation of the layout (especially in terms of the Marelli electronics, the Engineancillaries and the cooling and lubrication systems.)The 053 can only be fitted to the new F2004 car.In structural terms: the block and heads have been strengthened with the use of new metallurgical solutions aimed at reducing any significant increase in Engine weight. In particular, all moving parts are new in order to prolong Enginelife. With the invaluable support of Shell, it has been necessary to develop a new fuel and even more significantly, a new Engineoil, that provides great stability and protection for the Engine.In terms of Engineperformance, work will be ongoing throughout the season, with various evolutionary steps already planned.I would like to add that, on the Engineside, our staff are growing in terms of experience and responsibility and we have an impressive group of Engineers, both on the design and development side, with specialist strengths in the various areas such as combustion, dynamics, bench testing etc. and in terms of running the Engines at the track. We are therefore looking to the future and continuing the long tradition of our Engineacademy, which is always looking to innovate in terms of content and work methods. Finally and as usual, we will not disclose a horsepower figure, but, at the risk of repeating myself, rest assured that once again this year all the Ferrari Enginespecialists have worked with diligence and determination in order to produce ‘enough’ power, delivered in a useable and reliable fashion in order to reach our objectives in the 2004 F1 championship.Forza Ferrari!

Schumacher: ‘As motivated as ever’

Maranello, 26th January ‘ The obvious first question for the reigning world champion at the launch of the F2004, was whether or not he could take another title this year. ‘We must wait and see,’ was his cautious reply, although he did adwith he was happy to start this season with a brand new car. ‘I know that people were expecting the new car to look different, but what matters is the result on the stopwatch,’ began Schumacher. ‘It does look similar to last year’s car, which if I remember correctly was quite good and won both championships! Now we must wait and see how the winter testing goes, when we will have a better indication of its potential.’ As usual, tyres will play a vital role in the outcome of the coming season and Michael is happy with the work done in this area. ‘We finished last season strongly and we have just had a very good test in Barcelona,’ said the German. The Ferrari man also expressed satisfaction with the change to the format for qualifying, whereby the winner of the previous race is the first driver to make a run on Saturday. ‘I think it is a fairer system than last year, when as championship leader, I was nearly always first man out and had the job of ‘road sweeper.’ Finally, the World Number One was asked if he expected this to be his toughest season. ‘The next season is always your toughest,’ was his quick response. ‘But I am as motivated as ever, for the simple reason that I love to race.’

Barrichello: ‘Much more like a winner’

Maranello, 26th January ‘ Rubens Barrichello is looking forward to more wins in 2004. Speaking at the launch of the new car, the Brazilian claimed that 2003 had been his best year so far. ‘And all the work that has gone into the F2004 means I can be optimistic about this coming year. Of course it will be tough, but I would like to start this year the way I finished the last one,’ he added, referring to his win at Suzuka. Asked if he would challenging his team-mate this season, Barrichello replied: ‘I think I have always been a challenge for Michael and this year, the championship should be wide open and I will give it my best shot. As a driver you must always believe you can do it.’Answering concerns that there was not much time for him to test the F2004 prior to the first race in Melbourne, the Ferrari man seemed unconcerned. ‘While Michael will be the first to drive F2004 to check it out, I will have six days running a tyre programme with the old car. Then, we will have two F2004 and I will have sufficient time to get used to it. With a new car, the most important thing to sort out is the driving position, because you get used very quickly to its characteristics on track, in terms of how it handles and performs. Asked to sum up his feelings for this year, Rubens had a very succinct answer: ‘After 2003, I now feel much more like a winner!’

F2004: Michael’s comment on a special day

Maranello, 30th January – ‘I am quite happy with the first testing day of our new car. I immediately had a feeling for it. The F2004 was handling very well straight out of the box and we achieved good and consistent lap times. Personally I find it nice to have such good news and see such good mood on the birthday of our president’s daughter Maria.’

Record of the track at Fiorano for Michael and the F2004

Maranello, 31st JanuaryCircuit: Fiorano track, 2.976 km – short course 1.413 km Drivers: Michael Schumacher and Luca Badoer Cars: F2004 and F2003-GA Weather: air temperature 2/5/3°C, track 3/10/6 °C. Cloudy.Second day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro at the Fiorano circuit. This morning Luca Badoer completed the electronics test programme begun yesterday: 23 laps to his name, with the quickest being a 56’852.Schumacher began development work on the F2004, covering a total of 100 laps, with a best time of 56’279.Testing continues at this track tomorrow, again with Michael Schumacher driving.