A few days prior to the current Velocetoday edition going to "press"the new
Ferrari 2008 was officially unveiled in Maranello. The F2008 is the latest
creation of Ferrari of a total of 54 cars designed to participate in the
World Championship Formula. The new car characterizes itself when compared
to the 2007 model year by less electronics and more safety devices, as well
as by improved aerodynamics. Further attention of detail allows it to be
more user-friendly for the mechanics. The official project name for the new
Formula One is 659.
The car is equipped, as per new rules of the FIA, with an electronic
management system that is identical to the other makes competing in the
Formula One World Championship, the so-called SECU (Standard Electronic
Control Unit). Other new aspects are as per FIA rules that the gearbox will
have to last 4 subsequent races, and that the sides of the cockpit area have
been heightened to better protect the driver's head in case of a crash.
Overall the car is slightly heavier than the 2007 edition. Aerodynamics have
been completely redesigned according to Ferrari, but are not shown yet on
the F2008 shown and will be different once the car lines up for the first
race of the season.
The F2008 does not have a traction control system due to the ban of such
system imposed by the FIA. No more electronically controlled launches or
braking therefore in 2008, and much simplified gearbox. The engine remains
basically the same as the one which was used in 2007, barring some logical
developmental improvements.
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According to Ferrari's President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Ferrari will
be the team to beat in 2008. It will however not be easy as many of the
large manufacturers have increased their commitment to Formula One
Montezemolo openly declared that he aims at bringing home Ferrari's 8th
Constructor's World Championship in his 10th of tenureship. According to
Ferrari's President both Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen are to be
considered as the best drivers available and are as such in a very select
group that comprises Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. In particular
Felipe has shown last year that he can win when he is expected to win, while
Kimi although not very talkative is very competent when it comes to perform
his tasks as a race car driver. And then so continues Montezemolo, let's not
forget that there still is a gentleman named Michael Schumacher who is still
around in Maranello and elsewhere to assist Ferrari. Michaels experience
with cars that have no traction control is invaluable in bringing the 8th
title home in ten years, eight being better than the current seven!
Montezemolo is further of the opinion that 2008 will most likely be a year
without scandals such as those that plagued the 2007 season. The FIA did
its work diligently and prevented that harm was done by the spy scandal of
2007.
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The Ferrari team will be headed by Stefano Domenicali, who report directly
to CEO Jean Todt. During the press meeting Todt mentioned that he had good
hopes for the 2008 season, but expressed that he would have preferred the
FIA had awarded the electronics contract to another (than Microsoft) company,
one that had less closer ties to McLaren. Thus a situation may, once again
according to Jean Todt, have arisen in which McLaren would initially have a
slight advantage.
Meanwhile writing this, Kimi Raikkonen has already put 55 laps under his
belt at the Fiorano racetrack in a first shake-down of the F2008. The
conditions were dampy to wet and Kimi used intermediate tires. His best lap
was 1'00"17, and thus far from the Fiorano lap record of 58"360 that Felipe
managed to put on the stopwatch during testing in 2007. The first test have
given very positive results according to Kimi Raikkonen and he is confident
that in the coming weeks his time can be improved considerably. From 14-16
January test will continue at Jerez in Spain. But first the entire
Ferrari team will go for a short ski vacation to Madonna di Campiglio where
it will meet with the entire team of Ducati Corse for an informal (social) scrimmage.
