The F60 – The day after the “first”
Source: Ferrari Maranello, 13th January – Another day of hard work for the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, getting ready for the 2009 season. After the F60’s debut yesterday at the Mugello circuit, today the Scuderia’s technicians had a long day, analyzing the data collected on the track. President Luca di Montezemolo, who also spoke to Felipe Massa to hear about his first impressions of the new single-seater, took part in the meeting. The technicians concentrated on the small problems the car had at Mugello on its first day out. The goal is to solve them to then start the single-seater’s development programme. They were also working on the functionality of the KERS. The next appointment for the F60 is the test session at the Parc Algarve circuit at Portimao in Portugal from 19th to 22nd January. Meanwhile Felipe and Kimi are at “Wroom”, the traditional media event in Madonna di Campiglio, while Team Principal Stefano Domenicali will arrive in the evening; more than 120 journalists from around 20 different countries and three continents are waiting for them. |
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s technicans first impressions Source: Ferrari Scarperia, 12th January 2009 – After the meeting with Stefano Domenicali the press conference of the Scuderia’s technicians – Gilles Simon, Nikolas Tombazis and Aldo Costa – was held at the Mugello circuit. First of all the journalists wanted to know more about the regulations concerning the engines: there will be eight engines for every driver over the whole season. But will they be all the same? Gilles Simon said: “As of 2009 the engine speed is limited to 18,000 rpm and every driver can use up to eight engines over the 17 GPs of this Championship. Therefore distance target for each unit is now around 2,500 kilometres.” |
Felipe Massa’s first impressions Source: Ferrari Scarperia, 12th January 2009 – Felipe Massa, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s Brazilian driver, met the press in the afternoon, after the first day of testing with the new F60 at the Mugello circuit. These are his first impressions of the new single-seater: “This car is completely different from the one we had last year. Many rules have changed and they are all visible, the impact of the rules, such as the introduction of the KERS, the changed aerodynamics; all these things make it very different for us all to drive. |
Press Conference Stefano Domenicali, Director of the Ferrari Formula 1 Team Scarperia, 12th January 2009 – “Hello, everybody and Happy New Year! It will be a very interesting year for all of us as far as our sport is concerned. Let me explain to you why the new single-seater is called F60; it’s the fifty fifth single-seater built by Ferrari specifically to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship; it’s the 60th edition of the F1 Championship and Ferrari is the only team, which has participated in all 60 editions. The sport is closely linked to the Team. It is a historical date, but with a look to the future. It is a difficult moment “and it is the moment to look ahead and the goal is that we will have a F120 one day.” These were the first words of Stefano Domenicali, Director of the Ferrari Formula 1 Team, at the press conference on the day of the F60’s debut at Mugello. “Our DNA lets us continue in this sport and we’re looking ahead; we’re optimistic even in this difficult period for the whole system. I’m convinced that when we manage to pass this critical situation Formula 1 will be stronger than it ever was. This is Ferrari’s main task; always in Formula 1.” |
Another lap for the F60 on a cold morning at Mugello Scarperia, 12th January 2009 – At 10:55am Felipe Massa went out for a second lap in the new F60, completing another whole lap. Yesterday, after he saw the new single-seater for the first time, with Stefano Domenicali and his teammate Raikkonen, at the logistics department at Fiorano, Massa said he was “happy and excited to take the Ferrari out for its first ride”. |
F60’s debut on a cold and sunny day Scarperia (FI), 12th January 2009 – 10:35am: the sound of the 056, the new F60’s engine, interrupts the silence at the Mugello circuit’s box. Just one lap for the new single-seater of the Prancing Horse, which has its first outing today at its official debut, with more laps later on. |
Description and Technical Specifications The F60 is the fifty fifth single-seater built by Ferrari specifically to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship. The name of the car was chosen to celebrate the Scuderia’s participation in all 60 editions of the Formula 1 World Championship since 1950 to date. The project, which goes by the internal code name of 660, represents the Scuderia’s interpretation of the regulations that come into force this year, which include very many new elements. As far as the aerodynamics are concerned, these modifications are the result of the work carried out by the OWG (Overtaking Working Group,) set up by the FIA in collaboration with the teams to produce a set of rules aimed at encouraging more overtaking on track: the front wing, which has a neutral central profile, common to all, is developed mainly on its side elements and is much wider than in the past: the bodywork can no longer carry the slotted apertures that had characterised the Ferrari cars over the past few years. Other aerodynamic devices are also significantly reduced; the rear wing is higher and narrower than in the past; the diffuser has been moved rearward. The combination of changes naturally led the initial design phase down radically different routes when it came to the side pods and protection components: the apertures have been reduced in size and moved rearward, while the upper and rear elements are larger to aid the exit of air. The new rules regarding aerodynamics have also led to modifications to the suspension, as these elements can no longer be enclosed to the same extent. The suspension system and the whole layout of the car have been redesigned in the light of the new rules in order to achieve the correct weight distribution. The design also takes into account two other significant changes in the 2009 regulations: the possibility of using a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and the reintroduction of “slick” tyres. The KERS on the F60 was designed by Ferrari in collaboration with Magneti Marelli and is centrally mounted on the engine under the rear part of the chassis; its management has involved all departments of the Gestione Sportiva. The return to tyres with no grooves is another element which is down to the work of the OWG, as is the introduction of a flap on the front wing that can be adjusted by the driver when the car is moving. The software for managing this tool, as well as for the KERS, was designed in Maranello. The transmission has been redesigned to optimise the aerodynamic efficiency of the car. The gearbox casing is again made in carbon and is still positioned longitudinally. The gearbox is fitted with a speed shifter. There is also a new braking system, with callipers designed by Brembo. Other important rule changes for this year stem from the work of FIA and FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) aimed at producing a significant reduction in the teams’ operational costs. <BR>As far as the engine is concerned, which retains its longitudinal mounting in the F60 and continues as a load bearing structure, the rules now state that a total of eight engines may be used over the 17 Grand Prix race weekends on the calendar. |
Moving to Mugello Maranello, 10th January – Due to bad weather conditions with snow over the last few days and extremely low temperatures, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro has decided to debut with the Ferrari Formula 1 single-seater at the Mugello circuit, the second race track owned by Ferrari. The car’s presentation will be held as planned on Monday, 12th January. The presentation’s procedure on the website of the Prancing Horse remains unchanged: from Monday 9am CET photos and exclusive interviews can be found on www.ferrari.com, spiced up with the single-seater’s technical details. During the day the first photos of the car on the track will be published on the website and Felipe Massa and members of the Scuderia, the reigning World Champion Team, will talk about their first experience and impressions of the car. |