Ferrari Unveil 2007 Challenger
The Scuderia-Ferrari Marlboro team unveiled its 2007 car designated the F2007 yesterday at their factory in the town of Maranello. The F2007, known internally as the 658 is the 53rd single seater built by Ferrari to take part in the Formula One World Championship and the first car of the post Schumacher era.
The post-Schumacher era it may well be but Michael, though not present at the launch, was in the garage checking out the new car.
The new car, though an evolution of last year's 248F1, features an all new front suspension, which has been revised with a view to increase its aerodynamic efficiency. It also features a new specially sculpted 'quick-shift' gearbox which reduces time loss during gearchange. The system is available for all gears (7+Reverse) and in all conditions. The specially sculpted gearbox means that the rear 'coke bottle' section gets narrower thus cleaning up airflow at the back of the car. The engine which according to new regulations had to be homologated is the same 056 unit that Ferrari used at the end of last season. However, the engine has been modified to allow it to reach 19,000 rpm. Because of the narrower rear end, the air intakes and water and oil pipes of the 'old' engine had to be rearranged.
The sidepods have also taken on a new shape as a result of the new cooling system. The rear suspension remains unchanged and will be modified according to how the new Bridgestone tyres perform. The front wing also remains unchanged but before the first race in Australia a major aero update has been planned that will entail the use of an all new front wing.
Expectations are high within the Scuderia's ranks that this machine will return the title to Maranello.
The Scuderia-Ferrari Marlboro team unveiled its 2007 car designated the F2007 yesterday at their factory in the town of Maranello. The F2007, known internally as the 658 is the 53rd single seater built by Ferrari to take part in the Formula One World Championship and the first car of the post Schumacher era.
The post-Schumacher era it may well be but Michael, though not present at the launch, was in the garage checking out the new car.
The new car, though an evolution of last year's 248F1, features an all new front suspension, which has been revised with a view to increase its aerodynamic efficiency. It also features a new specially sculpted 'quick-shift' gearbox which reduces time loss during gearchange. The system is available for all gears (7+Reverse) and in all conditions. The specially sculpted gearbox means that the rear 'coke bottle' section gets narrower thus cleaning up airflow at the back of the car. The engine which according to new regulations had to be homologated is the same 056 unit that Ferrari used at the end of last season. However, the engine has been modified to allow it to reach 19,000 rpm. Because of the narrower rear end, the air intakes and water and oil pipes of the 'old' engine had to be rearranged.
The sidepods have also taken on a new shape as a result of the new cooling system. The rear suspension remains unchanged and will be modified according to how the new Bridgestone tyres perform. The front wing also remains unchanged but before the first race in Australia a major aero update has been planned that will entail the use of an all new front wing.
Expectations are high within the Scuderia's ranks that this machine will return the title to Maranello.
posted by Speed Demon at 4:49 AM
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