Need hi-res photos.

Ferrari has unveiled its latest Formula 1 challenger, becoming the first team to reveal its 2008 car. The Ferrari is heavier than in 2007 because of the rule changes but Ferrari reckons that the new car will be just as competitive with all new aerodynamics, although the bodywork will probably be quite different by the time the teams head off to Australia in March. With aerodynamics becoming increasingly important as other areas of development are restricted there has been much emphasis placed on this.

The design, codenamed internally as the 659, represents the Scuderia's interpretation of the regulations in force in 2008. A major new element of these is the introduction of a new electronic system to be used by all teams, known as SECU (Standard Electronic Control Unit) and produced by MES (McLaren Electronic Systems.) It consists of a single control unit and a software system, the development of which ends as the season begins. Other areas affected by rule changes are: gearbox, which must be used for four consecutive events; safety, with the introduction of higher side protection around the driver's helmet; materials, with a limit to the type of composites that can be used. As a result of these rules, there has been an increase in the weight of the car. All aerodynamic surfaces have been completely revised, however the current version will be replaced by a completely different configuration in time for the first race. In fact, an intensive and all encompassing development programme is planned to run throughout the season. The monococque has been further cut away under the driver's legs and the side pods and engine cover are more tapered. The suspension system has been reworked and developed around the new aerodynamics.

The wheelbase and weight distribution have been adapted to meet the challenge of the new regulations and on the basis of lessons learned last year in terms of the performance of the Bridgestone tyres. Changes to the technical and sporting regulations in terms of electronics, alongside the introduction of the SECU, have led to the removal of a host of a driver aids, such as traction control and engine breaking and the electronically assisted starting system, and also mean that management of the differential, engine and gearchange are much simpler. The gearbox casing is produced in carbon, while the transmission continues to be mounted longitudinally. For the second consecutive year the gearchange is fitted with a quick shift system, adapted to the SECU software and further speeded up. In dealing with the reliability aspect of the new regulations, Shell has played a key role in defining the lubricants for the gearbox. The braking system has been updated with new callipers and innovative concepts regarding cooling.

The 056 engine is mounted longitudinally and continues as a load bearing element. Its basic structure remains unchanged compared to the unit homologated at the start of last season, while its auxiliary systems, air and fuel intakes have been further developed. The technical regulations also call for the use of fuel corresponding to European Union norms, with a content of components derived from biological sources equal to 5.75%.

As usual, during the design and development stages of the entire car, Ferrari's technical partners played an important role. Worthy of note is the contribution of the Fiat Research Centre, especially in providing simulation systems and Brembo for its work in developing the braking system. As is now traditional, a great deal of attention was paid to the performance and optimising of the materials used at the design stage and through quality control, striving to maximise performance levels while attaining the highest possible safety standards.

 

Looks Hot!

 

Hot, but that steering wheel would make me nauseous

 

Aesthetically, I think it looks like crap. I know, I know... it's because of the rules. I'm just not at all a fan of how the cars look with all the various aero appendages hanging off of them every which way. Bring on the no overlapping surfaces rule!

 

Best looking Ferrari in years...that means it will sux.

 

No way, its going to blow away the competition!!!

 

on those tires...I read somewhere the use of ABS will soon be prohibited in f1...

 

It looks like a transformer!

 

ABS have been illegal since 1993... power brakes are also verbotten.

 

The F2008 is still zero keel, but the new nose is significant as are the sidepods and rear wing, lots of different bits compared to the MP4-23 which looks more like just the 22 one race on from Brazil. Given the 4 race rule on trannys I find it unusual the tranny cooler intake (above the helmet) seems to have gone bye bye.

 

I also forgot the higher sides on the cockpit (regulations)

Also,for F-C hi rez:



http://www.media.ferrari.com/ferrari..._080007pre.jpg
http://www.media.ferrari.com/ferrari..._080004pre.jpg
http://www.media.ferrari.com/ferrari..._080005pre.jpg
http://www.media.ferrari.com/ferrari..._080002pre.jpg

 

On a related note. Does anyone else hate the faux wheels on the Ferrari? It looks ridiculous, especially when the car is running on the track and the "wheels" don't move. Ferrari probably did it to satisfy BBS, but it's :ghey:

 

I tend to agree, though if it makes a Ferrari faster, I will live with it.

They did look better black until they did as you guessed painted them to appease BBS.

 

Kimi : "I am NOT driving a car that sez Alice on the steering wheel."

 

ill take it...

 

Ferrari’s chief designer Nikolas Tombazis insists the introduction of a ‘slotted nose’ onto the F2008 from this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix will not have a major effect on the car’s performance.


The Italian squad introduced the radical new-look nosecone as part of an updated aerodynamic package in testing at Barcelona last week, with it featuring two large slots cut into its top surface just above the front suspension.


But despite the unusual nature of the addition, Tombazis says media speculation that it could result in a significant new breakthrough in speed are wide of the mark.


"The influence on car performance of the slotted nose has been greatly over emphasised," he said in a team preview.



"You cannot measure the effect of one component in isolation and the nose is just one part of a bigger package and in fact, its effect is not that big.


“Overall, we expect the new aero package to produce some improvement in performance, but it would be wrong to call it a race-winning item."


Ferrari says the slots in the nose are designed to improve the flow of previously trapped air around the floor of the car, which should help the floor perform more efficiently.


Tombazis adds that accommodating the new nose proved a challenging test for the team.


"The main challenge with this part was its design and manufacture," he said.


"As we effectively had a part which, by virtue of the slot, has less carbon fibre, less material and yet still had to conform to all the usual FIA crash tests, which it passed successfully.


“This was a big challenge for the people involved in producing it."




Looks much better than the weird aero bits sprouting up at the other cars.

 

^ So you are saying "Gills good, fins bad"? I am one of the relative few people who actually like the assorted bits.

 

"gills"

Some bits are good, but too many are bad. See the BMW mustache for an example of bad.