Ferrari becomes the first F1 team to launch its 2011 car at its base in Maranello, which is named F150 as a tribute to the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.Although F150 resembles almost F10, with a slightly wider mid-section to accommodate its KERS unit, technical director Aldo Costa insisted the ban on double diffusers has required a completely new approach.
"Due to the new rules the car should be a proper cut compared to the previous one, with new concepts and lines of development. As far as the looks are concerned the rules keep them quite unaltered. The cars look like the ones from last year, but from a technical point of view they will be really different."
When asked by journalists what is the biggest challenge had been in the F150's development, he replied:
"Starting from scratch with the car's rear, because the double diffuser and the F-duct are gone and there have been some clarifications regarding the car's underbody: these were the main challenges and why we had to start from scratch rethinking the whole project.... The car's evolution has been planned with two big stages: one during the winter tests, where we will mainly develop the area of the mechanics, which means that the car's structure, the chassis, the gearbox and the suspension will remain the same for the first couple of races," he said. "The aerodynamics is simplified and temporary for the first tests, waiting for the real aerodynamic development for the first race."
Team principal Stefano Domenicali commented about Ferrari's 2011 objective
"Our goal is to win the championships, we know that it's not easy but that is what we are trying to achieve. I think that there are many very, very good teams, so I would not underestimate any of them. I think Red Bull and I think McLaren, but there are many other good teams that will emerge during the year. On the drivers' side, there are all the world champion drivers and the new talents that are coming up, so it will be a tough season, we know that."
The front of the chassis has been affected by the more stringent crash tests, and it is higher, so that the driver sits higher. The side intakes are smaller than previously. Rear suspension is new, while the front has been altered to adapt to the changes to the monocoque. There’s also a revised brake system.
Chief designer Nikolas Tombazis explained:
“This project had several important challenges, because the regulations are quite different from last year’s. We had to reintroduce the KERS in the car. We’ve learned a lot about the KERS two years ago. But now we’ve got a new package, so the installation wasn’t the same. We had to think about that a lot.
Another challenge was the mobile rear wing. This is one of the novelties in Formula One this year. So we had to plan a wing, which doesn’t influence the performance when it’s shut in its normal configuration, but which gives us the highest possible reduction regarding CD, which means highest possible speed on the straights during the qualifying or while overtaking. This was a very important project.
A third challenge was the introduction of new tires. When you change tires you also have to change several aspects of the car, regarding weight distribution, suspension between front and rear, but also some aerodynamic aspects.
Because the Pirelli tires are new, we’ve got lots of work. This is almost less important thinking about the aerodynamic aspect – this year we can’t use a double diffuser. So we had to set a very ambitious goal, gaining the performance we lost without the double diffuser... We’ve been working on different innovations for the car: Some of ours and some new for Formula One in general. The rear suspension is really innovative, so is the rear wing system. But there are more novelties coming up regarding the configuration for the first race, which aren’t in the car yet – for example, something for the rear wing and the exhausts.”
F150's new livery decorative features are Ferrari's new logo whose red-white combination still reminds of Marlboro logo and the italian national colors in the back of its rear wing, reminding F150's origin to its pursuing competitors.
Technical Specs
Chassis
* Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
* Gearbox: Ferrari longitudinal gearbox
* Differential: Limited-slip differential
* Command: Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox - quick shift
* Number of gears: 7 +Reverse
* Brakes: Brembo ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes
* Suspension: Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
* Weight with water, lubricant and driver: 640 kg
* BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13"
* Type: 056
* Number of cylinders: 8
* Cylinder block in sand cast aluminium: V 90°
* Number of valves: 32
* Pneumatic distribution
* Total displacement: 2398 cm3
* Piston bore: 98 mm
* Weight: 95 kg
* Electronic injection and ignition
* Fuel: Shell V-Power
* Lubricant: Shell Helix Ultra
