Ferrari's 2012 car (663) passe the mandatory FIA crash test
Discussion
Ferrari's 2012 car has now passed the mandatory FIA crash tests at the second attempt, according to multiple sources.
It emerged last week that the new car, codenamed 663, was due to undergo the tests at the CSI technical facility in Bollate, near Milan, last week after they were initially failed.
Sources said the monocoque, reportedly "much lighter" than its 2011 predecessor, had been reinforced with additional carbon sheets for the subsequent side-impact test.
Spanish reports including in the sports newspapers AS and Marca, citing Italian sources, said the second tests were passed.
The reinforcements made to the car will have an "almost negligible" affect on laptimes, the sources said.
Given the tweaked regulations for 2012, the news clears the way for the new Ferrari to make its official track debut early next month.
Marca newspaper said there are unconfirmed rumours the 2012 Ferrari features a "revolutionary" design with a "dolphin nose".
It will reportedly be driven on the opening day of the official Jerez test by Felipe Massa, before Fernando Alonso takes over for days three and four.
Ferrari's drivers will also equally share track time at the subsequent Barcelona test, added Marca.
It has also emerged that Sauber's similarly Ferrari-powered 2012 car, the C31, has passed its final FIA crash test for the rear structure.
The car will be unveiled at Jerez on the eve of the opening test.
And it is reported in the French press that Marussia's technical consultant Pat Symonds has said the former Virgin team's 2012 car will not be ready for the opening test of the pre-season at Jerez.
It emerged last week that the new car, codenamed 663, was due to undergo the tests at the CSI technical facility in Bollate, near Milan, last week after they were initially failed.
Sources said the monocoque, reportedly "much lighter" than its 2011 predecessor, had been reinforced with additional carbon sheets for the subsequent side-impact test.
Spanish reports including in the sports newspapers AS and Marca, citing Italian sources, said the second tests were passed.
The reinforcements made to the car will have an "almost negligible" affect on laptimes, the sources said.
Given the tweaked regulations for 2012, the news clears the way for the new Ferrari to make its official track debut early next month.
Marca newspaper said there are unconfirmed rumours the 2012 Ferrari features a "revolutionary" design with a "dolphin nose".
It will reportedly be driven on the opening day of the official Jerez test by Felipe Massa, before Fernando Alonso takes over for days three and four.
Ferrari's drivers will also equally share track time at the subsequent Barcelona test, added Marca.
It has also emerged that Sauber's similarly Ferrari-powered 2012 car, the C31, has passed its final FIA crash test for the rear structure.
The car will be unveiled at Jerez on the eve of the opening test.
And it is reported in the French press that Marussia's technical consultant Pat Symonds has said the former Virgin team's 2012 car will not be ready for the opening test of the pre-season at Jerez.
Ferrari not ruling out Ferrari future for Newey:
Stefano Domenicali has hinted Adrian Newey might be targeted for a role at Ferrari -- but the marque's president Luca di Montezemolo sounds less keen.
Ferrari team boss Domenicali was asked if Red Bull's highly respected designer Newey, whose cars have won the last two world championships, was on the Italian giant's shortlist.
"I think that Adrian Newey showed his capability in a fantastic way in the last couple of years," Domenicali agreed to Sky Sports News.
"But what he would like to do in the future, well we will see."
President Montezemolo, on the other hand, admits to being stung more than a decade ago when Ferrari showed interest in Newey, who at the time ultimately switched from Williams to McLaren.
"I have confidence in our technical staff," Montezemolo is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, "and furthermore the meeting I had with him (Newey) in 1997 was not exactly positive.
"The idea that his wife had of Italy was that of some kind of a third world country. But if he were available again and changed his ideas about our country then why not?" he added.
As for the man in Newey's driving seat - back to back world champion Sebastian Vettel - Domenicali thinks Fernando Alonso is ultimately a better driver.
But when asked about the young German, he added: "Never say never.
"Last season, with the pole positions and the number of victories that he achieved -- In comparison, if you look at his achievements with the others ... so we will see," said Domenicali of Vettel.
Stefano Domenicali has hinted Adrian Newey might be targeted for a role at Ferrari -- but the marque's president Luca di Montezemolo sounds less keen.
Ferrari team boss Domenicali was asked if Red Bull's highly respected designer Newey, whose cars have won the last two world championships, was on the Italian giant's shortlist.
"I think that Adrian Newey showed his capability in a fantastic way in the last couple of years," Domenicali agreed to Sky Sports News.
"But what he would like to do in the future, well we will see."
President Montezemolo, on the other hand, admits to being stung more than a decade ago when Ferrari showed interest in Newey, who at the time ultimately switched from Williams to McLaren.
"I have confidence in our technical staff," Montezemolo is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, "and furthermore the meeting I had with him (Newey) in 1997 was not exactly positive.
"The idea that his wife had of Italy was that of some kind of a third world country. But if he were available again and changed his ideas about our country then why not?" he added.
As for the man in Newey's driving seat - back to back world champion Sebastian Vettel - Domenicali thinks Fernando Alonso is ultimately a better driver.
But when asked about the young German, he added: "Never say never.
"Last season, with the pole positions and the number of victories that he achieved -- In comparison, if you look at his achievements with the others ... so we will see," said Domenicali of Vettel.
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