Ferrari is seldom given to subtlety, but the launch of its new F2007 F1 racer was an understated affair.
Ferrari is seldom given to subtlety, but the launch of its new F2007 F1 racer was an understated affair. Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikonnen are confident that with the team’s support and the evolved car they have a good chance of beating Renault this year. Now, if only Todt could stop looking at Kimi in that strange way…
Understatement has never been a forté of the Ferrari F1 team, but the launch of their new F2007 at their base in Maranello was an uncharacteristically low-key start to their plans of regaining the past glories of 2000-2004.
Neither Michael Schumacher nor Ross Brawn – two of the kingpins of Ferrari’s domination from 2000 to 2004 – were at the launch. In addition, the new F2007 wasn’t there either – it will make its first in-the-carbon fibre appearance at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track shortly. However, the team revealed the car’s specifications while extolling the same targets for the coming season of competition; to reclaim the constructor and driver titles that have eluded them for the past two seasons.
Apart from the new livery (losing much of the white decals from their Marlboro sponsorship – should aid aerodynamics no end), the F2007 sports most of its significant changes up front. Modifications to the cooling system have brought about a revision of the side-pods and Ferrari claims that the Prancing Horse’s new front suspension represents a “major conceptual innovation”.
“The aerodynamics have been completely remodelled; the front suspension, air inlets on the main body and the rear axle (which incorporates the architecture of the new gearbox) are more tapered”, said chassis designer Aldo Costa. “We worked a lot on the chassis to withstand the new crash tests, which are much more severe.”
The rear of the new car brings in few new developments other than a revised gearbox housing. Overall, there is more evolution than revolution in the design of the F2007. The wheelbase of the new car is longer, but the suspension setup differs little from that of the 248 F1. Furthermore, the engine freeze practically rules out the likelihood of any significant alterations to the F2007’s 2,4-litre V8 engine.
“The methodology of the project and the development of the car has been under the sign of continuity,” added Costa. “Last year we adopted an aggressive approach and this year we will work with the same rhythm in development as in 2006. This was our aim and we hit our target.”
Along with sporting director Stefano Domenicali and new technical director Mario Almondo, Massa and Raikonnen were present at the launch. Both drivers made their intentions of de-throning Alonso and the Renault team very clear.
Although Jean Todt made it clear that the integration of Raikonnen into the Scuderia will involve the same engineering team that supported Schumacher, he admitted that it was rather bizarre seeing the former McLaren star clad in red.
“I had a strange feeling seeing Kimi dressed in red, because until now we had to hide when we spoke to each other, while now we can do it in a normal way. Kimi’s team will be the one that was Michael’s last year; there will be no changes.”
Todt is confident in his team’s ability to recapture the dominance they displayed by winning five F1 driver and constructor titles between 2000 and 2004.
“As far as the competitiveness is concerned we can see an improvement at all levels in the simulations. We have to confirm that on the track, because what counts in the end is the stopwatch. Last year we were competitive but not reliable enough. So we have to get back to the levels of the years 2000 to 2004 to be victorious.”