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| The F2005 is
Unveiled
Info & pics from
Ferrari Media
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26.2.05
The car that will carry Scuderia Ferrari’s hopes of
retaining the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship titles
was unveiled in Maranello last Friday.
The F2005 project is the responsibility of Aldo Costa and is the fifty
first single-seater built by Ferrari specifically to compete in the Formula
1 World Championship. The design, which bears the internal code number
656, represents Ferrari’s more exhaustive interpretation of the
2005 technical regulations. The main elements relating to aerodynamics
are more advanced than on the F2004M.
The chassis is lighter, despite the need to strengthen the lateral anti-intrusion
panels within the monocoque to increase its ability to meet the requirements
of the crash-test, which is stricter than in the past. The shape has been
revised, with modifications to the opening of the side pods and the area
around the turning vanes. The side pods have been adapted to accommodate
the new cooling system.
The engine cover has been redesigned, as have the aerodynamic devices
on the side pods, with a secondary winglet introduced in the area of the
roll-hoop. The layout of the exhausts is fundamentally different to that
of the previous car, eliminating the aerodynamic profile which characterised
the rear section, which is now almost entirely integrated within the bodywork.
While retaining the longitudinal architecture for the transmission, the
entire rear end has been changed in an attempt to get the most out of
the size of the gearbox, which is smaller than its predecessor and made
from titanium and carbon fibre. Naturally, the limitations introduced
by the new regulations were taken into account during the design stage.
The rear suspension has been revised, with the twin aims of improving
the car’s dynamics in order to optimise the efficiency of operation
for the Bridgestone tyres, while also improving the aerodynamic efficiency
of the rear. The floor of the car has also been substantially redesigned
to fit in with the new dimensions of the gearbox and comply with the new
regulations. Two areas that benefited from a major effort during the design
stage were the braking and electronics systems.
The 055 engine is load-bearing and mounted longitudinally. Much of the
internal componentry derives from the last version of the 053, currently
fitted to the F2004M. The main changes centre on the mounting points to
chassis and gearbox. Its designers aimed to come up with an engine able
to maintain a sufficient level of performance, doubling its life given
that the sporting regulations introduced this year require the use of
the same engine for two consecutive race weekends.
The F2005 represents the final evolution in a line of Ferrari Formula
1 cars fitted with a ten cylinder engine, as next year sees the introduction
of the 2.4 litre V8 engines.
The F2005 will not be making the trip to the first GP in Australia, as
Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello will start the year at the wheel
of the F2004M, the modified version of last year’s car. This will
allow extra time for development and track testing of the new car and
its 055 engine, prior to its debut after the first few grands prix.
The F2005 may make its race debut in Barcelona (Race 5), depending on
the results of testing, but Ferrari state that might be possible to introduce
it in Bahrain (Race 3), this is thought to be in response to fears that
the F2004M may not be quick enough to compete with the new McLaren and
Renault cars.
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here to return to the Ferrari Happenings page.
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Format
followed most years with new car waiting to be unveiled |
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The
drivers do the honours |
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Luca
and Jean with the drivers and engineers |
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The
last V10 Ferrari (for now)
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