German Car Zone

shonguiz · 01-12-2009, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monster

I. Maybe Ferrari has significantly improved their cooling system, or they just don't want to give much away at the launch.

Imhotep Evil · 01-12-2009, 04:24 AM

>
^ It's ugly.
If they would have enlarged the track and give it big fat rear slick it would have looked great.

Wunderkind · 01-12-2009, 04:25 AM

I am still trying to come to terms with the 2009 F1 cars. The new front, rear wings and the absence of any winglets and turning vanes make the car look more pure. But the width of the flatness of the front wing and the height of the rear wing make the car looks very odd.

The Ferraris usually look the best because of the red colour. The McLarens also look quite nice with the matt silver colour. But cars with light colours such as the white BMW and Toyota will fare worse.

Centurion · 01-12-2009, 05:39 AM

Has Puma been hit hard by the economic slow down? That is one anonymous space for advertising, hardly anyone will make note of the tiny logo as it's directly behind the head of the driver. Is that all they can afford??

We can't say we didn't know what to expect but to my surprise the car doesn't look as horrid at BMW and William's car thank to the deep red colour diverting the eyes from the horrid proportions. No vents can be seen on the top because copycats can be quick to replicate during the three months there is between the car launches and the season kick off. The other theory can be that the car really is super cool, but given the carnival of vents and winglets we saw at the end of last season I'm stunned by the purity of the design. What's to see is if stability will be affected, 2007 was probably one of the best seasons for top F1 drivers. Back then the top cats paraded from start to finish without any drama at all.

Slicks plus rain is a lethal combination and there will be some entertainment in store for us as tire gamblers will face some serious consequences. Hamilton recently rocked slicks in GP2 and has done very well without traction control making him the biggest candidate for the 2009 trophy while Massa is at risk because of he lacks the composure of Hamilton in tricky conditions.

shonguiz · 01-12-2009, 05:54 AM

Some HD shots
http://www.autosports.be/photo/47193_3-4_2009.jpg
http://www.autosports.be/photo/47194_Alto_2009.jpg
Vid of the launch
Ecco la nuova Ferrari: si chiama F60. GUARDA IL VIDEO! - Sport - SKY.it

Quote:

F60
The F60 is the fifty fifth single-seater built by Ferrari specifically to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship. The name of the car was chosen to celebrate the Scuderia's participation in all 60 edtions of the Formula 1 World Championship since 1950 to date. The project, which goes by the internal code name of 660, represents the Scuderia's interpretation of the regualtions that come into force this year, which includes very many new elements.

CHASSIS
- Carbon-fibre and honycomb composite structure
- Ferrari longitudinal gearbox Limited-slip differential
- Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox -quick shift
- Number of gears 7 + Reverse
- Brembo ventilated caron-fibre disc brakes
- Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
- Weight (which water, lubricant and drive) 605 kg
- BBS Wheels (front and rear) 13"
- Kinetic energy recovery system by Ferrari in cooperation with Magneti Marelli
- The bodywork can no longer carry the slotted apertures that had characterised the Ferrari cars over the past few years

FRONT WING
The front wing, which has a neutral central prifle, common to all, is developed mainly on its side elements and is much wider than in the past: the bodywork can no longer carry the slotted apertures that had characterised the Ferrari cars over the past few years. The combination of changes naturally led the inital design phase down radically different routes when it cme to the side pods and protection components: the apertures have been reduced in size and moved rearward, while the upper and rear elements are larger to aid the exit of air.

REAR WING
The rear wing is higher and narrower than in the past; the diffuser has been moved rearward. The combination of changes naturally led the inital design phase down radically different routes when it cme to the side pods and protection components: the apertures have been reduced in size and moved rearward, while the upper and rear elements are larger to aid the exit of air.

ENGINE and TRANSMISSIONS
One of the most significant changes in the 2009 regulations is th epossibility of using a kinetic engery recovery system (KERS). The KERS on the F60 was designed by Ferrari in collaboration with Magneti Marelli and is centrally mounted on the engine under the rear part of the chassis; its management has involved all departments of the Gestione Sportiva. The transmission has been redesigned to optimise the aerodynamic efficiency of the car. The gearbox casing is again made in carbon and is still positioned longitudinally. The gearbox iss fitted with a speed shifter. There is also a new breaking system, with callipers designed by Brembo. Other important rule changes for this years stem form the work of FIA and FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) aimed at producing a signifact reduction int he teams' operational costs. As far as the engine is concerned, which retains its longitudinal mounting int he F60 and continueas as a load bearing structure, the rusels now state that a total of eight engines may be used over the 17 Grand Prix race weekends on the calendar. Accordingly, the maximum permitted engine speed has been reduced to 18,000 rpm and the distance target for each unit is now around 2,500 kilometres. Furthermore, modifications have been made to the inlet trumpets, the position of the injectors and the configuration of the exhausts. The changes to the regulations mean that, ont he reliability front, Shell has played a fundamental role in defining the lubricants for both the engine and gearbox.

Quote:

Raikkonen: 2008 already in the past
Kimi Raikkonen says he has already put the disappointment of the 2008 season behind him as he aims to bounce back and fight on top this year.

The 2007 world champion was unable to defend his crown as he struggled to match the pace of Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, who won five races compared to Raikkonen's two.

But as Ferrari unveiled their 2009 challenger, the F60, at Mugello, Raikkonen was adamant that he is starting a new chapter this year.

"Last year was not exactly what I wanted but that is in the past now and we will try again this year," said Raikkonen. "Of course it is a big question mark how good the car will be because the rules have changed a lot.

"But we are very confident that the car should be very good and we will see in the next few weeks how good it is against the others.

"But for sure we'll try to win the world championships, but we'll see how it is and we'll go from there."

Raikkonen admitted it took some time to get used to the new-looking car, but the Finn said he already liked the new machine.

"It looks different because of the new regulations, but after looking at it for a little while you get used to it," he said. "It looks different but it looks very good. I'm looking forward to see it run and see how it goes."

Felipe Massa feeling stronger than ever
Felipe Massa says he is feeling a lot stronger as a driver following his championship challenge in the 2008 season.

The Brazilian lost the title by one point to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, in a thrilling season finale in Brazil, where Massa was champion until the final corner of the final lap.

As Ferrari unveiled their 2009 challenger, Massa admitted the experience had made him stronger as he mounts his championship challenge again this year.

"Every year I feel stronger," Massa said. "I think after so much experience in these six years I feel stronger, I feel more experienced, especially after last year, with how difficult the championship was.

"That makes me ready and even more experienced for next season."

Massa also said it is difficult to judge who the most competitive teams will be following the radical rules changes to be introduced for the year.

But the Brazilian reckons McLaren will again be Ferrari's main rivals.

"It's difficult to say what the most difficult car to beat will be," the Brazilian added. "We expect McLaren to be very competitive, maybe BMW, who are working really hard and growing a lot year by year.

"Maybe Renault and maybe we can have some other team who can show great performance as well. So it's quite difficult to say but for sure we are working really hard and hopefully it will be us."

The Ferrari driver will be the man in charge of taking the new F60 to the track for the first time later today, and he admitted he was very proud.

"For sure when you drive for Ferrari and you bring the new car to the track for the first time is always quite important and emotional day for us," he said. "I'm very happy, proud because I think it's very important for a driver to take the car to the track for the first time."

He also confessed he was surprised by how small and compact the new car is.

"I'm quite surprised because I expected a big car like it was 10 years go. But the car is very, very small, very compact, the rear end especially. It looks pretty nice, it looks pretty good and hopefully it will be as quick as it looks."

Quote:

10:35am: the sound of the 056, the new F60's engine, interrupts the silence at the Mugello circuit's box. Just one lap for the new single-seater of the Prancing Horse, which has its first outing today at its official debut, with more laps later on.
At 10:55 Felipe Massa went out for a second lap in the new F60, completing another whole lap. Yesterday, after he saw the new single-seater for the first time, with Stefano Domenicali and his teammate Raikkonen, at the logistics department at Fiorano, Massa said he was "happy and excited to take the Ferrari out for its first ride".

shonguiz · 01-12-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Ferrari have all but ruled out supplying engines to Honda Racing in 2009, should the Japanese manufacturer find a buyer to save the team.

Honda Racing sporting director Ross Brawn, Ferrari's former technical director, confirmed last week that he had contacted the Italian team to enquire about a supply of customer engines.

But Ferrari's team principal Stefano Domenicali appeared to dismiss the suggestion at the launch of the Scuderia's F60 on Monday: "I can tell you about the chances of giving Honda engines... the likelihood is close to zero."

Brawn said last week that Honda Racing was continuing to prepare their 2009 car for the start of the season while negotiations with potential buyers continue.

"Honda has already said it will not supply us with engines, so that's why I contacted Ferrari," Brawn told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We haven't signed anything yet but I really appreciated the support from president Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali. It's like being among former schoolmates: they still see me as one of their own."

Honda Racing face a race against time to find a buyer and be ready for the start of the season.

Honda has made it clear that it does not intend to continue supplying engines to the team and Brawn has indicated that he expected it to take six weeks to modify the 2009 car for a new customer engine package.

autosport.com - F1 News: Ferrari rule out Honda engine supply

shonguiz · 01-12-2009, 09:45 AM

The Artist · 01-12-2009, 09:53 AM

HAHA..wow that has to be the uglyiest F1 car ever..

I hope it sucks aswell

Centurion · 01-12-2009, 09:54 AM

Not bad, not bad. The oddness will take some time getting used to but the car looks pretty alright, very compacts and focused. What bothers the eyes is just the disproportionate relationship between the front wing and the spoiler.

coligny · 01-12-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Centurion

Not bad, not bad. The oddness will take some time getting used to but the car looks pretty alright, very compacts and focused. What bothers the eyes is just the disproportionate relationship between the front wing and the spoiler.

Understatement of the year... and we are not even in mid january...

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German Car Zone

2009 F1 cars launches.