F2012: Ferrari unveils technological evolution

A ride over at Maranello would be much more interesting and traditional for the unveiling of the new F1 contender from Ferrari. But this year due to the snow the F2012 is being unveiled online. The new F1 car is the fifty eighth car built by Ferrari with the express purpose of taking part in the Formula 1 World Championship. This year the Scuderia returns to its roots and names the car after its year of manufacture.

Internally the F2012 is known by the code number of 663 and it is the team’s interpretation of the technical and sporting regulations that apply this year. Ferrari main concerns for 2012 were on the height of the front section of the chassis, the position of the exhaust pipes and the mapping for the electronic engine management.

Bottom line, almost every area of the car has been fundamentally revised. In the suspension the F2012 features pull-rods on both the front and rear, with the goal of favouring aerodynamic performance and lowering the centre of gravity. The front wing on this year’s contender derives from the one introduced on the 150º Italia in the final part of last season. Ferrari is planning further evolutions in this area for the opening races of the season.

The Scuderia is not pleased aesthetically with nose of its car which had to be modified due to the requirement from the regulations to lower the front part, in order to raise the bottom part of the chassis as much as possible for aerodynamic reasons.

Further changes can be spotted in the sides which have been redesigned, through modifications to the side impact structures, the repositioning of the radiators and revisions to all aerodynamic elements.

Thanks to the new gearbox casing and to the relocation of some mechanical components Ferrari has achieved to narrow the lower part of the rear of the car.

Because it has been crucial in terms of car performance, Ferrari has spent much effort on this area because of the changes to the regulations introduced this year. Although the rear wing is conceptually similar to the one used in 2011, every detail of it has been revised with the team claiming that it is now more efficient.

In terms of engine, the F2012 will be powered by an evolution of the engine that was onboard last season. Ferrari has focused on improving its installation in the new chassis in order to improve aerodynamics.

The engineers from the Maranello squad also focused on performance drop off, expecting to maintain the highest possible performance level throughout each engine’s cycle of use. Based on the modifications to the rules regarding the use of exhaust gases, the electronic management of the engine was also revised.

For 2012 Ferrari maintain their line-up, with Spanish former world champion Fernando Alonso and Brazilian Felipe Massa.