Ferrari Unveils their new 2008 Challenger

[RT/10Dave]

Detail taken from ITV F1 Website: Article date Sunday 6th January 2008


Ferrari has unveiled its new F2008 challenger that the Italian team hopes will allow it to retain the drivers and teams' world championship titles it scooped up last year.

Launched at Ferrari's Maranello factory, in Modena, Italy, the car is a logical progression on the Scuderia's unconventional long wheel-base F2007.

The new car, codenamed internally as the 659, is built to new regulations requiring standard ECUs and gearboxes that must last four races, and is the second designed by a team overseen by Ferrari's technical director Aldo Costa.

The team insists that the F2008 is a completely new design.

And while it features a strong resemblance to its predecessor, closer inspection reveals significant detailed changes to the aerodynamic silhouette, particularly around the front of the car.

An all new integrated front-wing assembly is the F2008's most outstanding visual feature, but it also features an entirely new skin that accomodates the new higher cockpit side protection rules as well as new limits on composite materials used in manufacture.

This also means that the new car is heavier than the F2007.

Ferrari pointed out however that the F2008's current aero specification will undergo considerable changes prior to the first race following an intensive pre-season development programme.

Other new features on the car include a monococque that has been further cut away under the driver's legs and side pods and engine cover that are more tapered.

The suspension has also been refined to better accomodate the F2008's complex aerodynamics front and rear.

Ferrari claims that the introduction of a standard ECU (SECU) means that the management of the differential, engine and quickshift gearchange are simpler, while the lessons learned in the first year of Bridgestone's standard tyre supply and the removal of driver aids has led to an adaption in wheelbase and weight distribution.

World champion Kimi Raikkonen is scheduled to give the car its first run on Ferrari's Fiorano test track tomorrow (Monday).







Apparently there is no Traction Control Button on the steering wheel...


http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=41549&PO=41549 

I like the look of it... (Not sure who Alice is though!?)

[RT/10Dave]

Sorry....

Repost: See here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=480866 

Did search, but missed it...

[anonymous-user]

SO anyone know a link to the meanings of all the buttons and knobs? Some are obvious, others not !!