Ferrari F2006 preview


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The Ferrari F2006 (assuming the team retain their recent naming convention) is likely to be only a distant relative of its predecessor, not only because of the F2005’s poor results, but also because of changes to the technical regulations. Here, and in our technical analysis section (see link below), we bring you our artist’s impressions of what we expect the team’s new car to look like.

The move from 3-litre V10s to 2.4-litre V8s will have a significant impact on the design of all Formula One cars. The new, smaller engine will have different requirements, not only in terms of its positioning, but also in terms of cooling. These requirements will in turn have a significant impact on the car’s aerodynamics.

The new Ferrari and its rivals will be smaller than their 2005 counterparts, thanks not only to the reduced size of their engines, but also because a V8 will be easier to cool than a V10. This will allow designers to use more efficient aerodynamic solutions in terms of body shape - solutions that were perhaps tried in 2005, but proved too extreme, will now be perfectly adequate.

In 2005, McLaren’s MP4-20 was the benchmark, featuring arguably the most extreme and efficient aerodynamics. Occasional reliability issues hinted at just how close to the limit the team’s tight packaging of their V10 was, but the design philosophy was one that Ferrari and other teams are likely to follow in 2006.

Like the MP4-20, the F2006 will be a very sleek and efficient machine, not just in terms of aerodynamics, but also dynamically, with a well-centred weight distribution allowing it to smoothly ride the kerbs and ensuring minimal tyre wear - all features that served McLaren well in 2005. The F2006 is also expected to draw on other 2005 features, such as Renault’s cooling gills. Nevertheless, the new car will retain a definite Ferrari identity, with a certain continuity in the design concept from Maranello.

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This artist's impression of Ferrari's 2006 machine illustrates the key areas of change likely to be seen on Maranello's new car. They include a lower nose and a 'no-keel' front suspension design (see 1 & 2); narrower sidepods (see 3 & 4); Renault-style venting gills (see 5); and revised rear suspension (see 6). See subsequent illustrations for further details.

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Ferrari F2006 preview - front wing & suspension

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This artist's impression of Ferrari's 2006 machine features a nose that drops down far more noticeably than on the F2005, with a wide, flat section, closely resembling that on the McLaren MP4-20. As a result, the pillars connecting the front wing to the nose will be shorter and slightly inclined. The wing itself will lose the F2005's additional box wing in favour of one main profile (1), deeply curved in the centre in a similar fashion to the McLaren's. New, lower front wishbone mountings (2) will be separate and connected to the chassis at its very lowest corners. This 'no-keel' concept was seen on the MP4-20 and on the final versions of Toyota's TF105B. It has the dynamic advantage of a very low roll centre, allowing for much-reduced camber angles, which improve tyre performance/durability, and the car's handling. It is also less disruptive to the airflow coming from the front wing, hence increasing the aero efficiency of the bottom of the car.

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Ferrari F2006 preview - sidepods & turning vanes

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This artist's impression of Ferrari's 2006 machine features sidepods much narrower in their lower front section (3), making the air intakes smaller and slightly more vertical, not unlike those on the McLaren MP4-20. The overall dimensions of the sidepods will be less going rearwards thanks to smaller radiators. A further similarity to the McLaren is related to the complex series of bargeboards and fins (red arrows), which help to manage the airflow underneath the car. This feature will certainly be refined over the 2005 version, but the basic concept will remain unchanged.

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Ferrari F2006 preview - rear section with venting gills

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This artist's impression of Ferrari's 2006 machine features sidepods (4) much narrower at the rear than the F2005's, creating an advanced 'coke-bottle' section. They are also much lower, thanks to smaller radiators. The Renault R25-style venting gills (5) provide maximum cooling efficiency with minimal airflow disruption. New rear suspension geometry (6) will work better with Bridgestone tyres, reducing the rear-end waywardness of F2005.

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