Ferrari F2008 start procedure.

Massa and Hamilton will be drag racing to that first tight corner this afternoon in Valencia. In this clip from the practice session let's follow the procedure for getting an F1 car off the line.
The pit lane limiter would not be used pulling up to the starting grid and of course as you pull the clutch you'd also need to remember to select first gear...

That's the easy part, then you need to remember to choose the correct engine map, differential setting and brake bias all while dodging concrete walls and racin other cars at a 120 mph average speed. This, of course, is the new "simplified version" without traction control!


Know your buttons from Axis Video on Vimeo.



And here is the rest of it.

The Hole thing, Ferrari's nose explained.

You may have seen this animation from Gazzetta Dello Sport. But maybe your Italian is not as fluent as you wish it would be and you "just gotta know...". Fear not, Axis is here.

Paraphrasing the narrator: a channel joins the lower section of the nose to the upper, with an inverted profile wing inserted at the channel's exit. The basic purpose of this configuration is to relieve the negative effects of the high pressure area under the nose which creates an aerodynamic obstruction as the speed increases.

So this week end in Spain, if this works, look for a more efficient Ferrari front wing with less drag for increased top speed. What I find most interesting about this "inboard" solution is that it perhaps shows the way aero development will take when and if all the winglets, bargeboards, bunny ears and spoilers are eliminated.

More and More

Ferrari nose job....and other news from Spain.

The rumored new nose we had discussed back in January has finally made it's first open appearance during the test in Barcellona. Must work well: on the first day, Felipe Massa was three seconds in front of Nick Heidfeld's BMW! (I'm guessing more likely because of full slicks.)

I don't even know what to say about Honda's latest Easter Bunny inspired aero design.... Maybe it's designed to make David Coulthard laugh and allow Jenson Button to make a clean pass!

On the second day, the ears came off slicks and bunny ears on we find Barrichello on top of the charts with 1:18.9 (Massa had a 1:18.3 Monday) followed by Fisichella and Massa. Alonso was the only driver who set times without slicks

Here are some more pictures by Angel Gil and Branimir Alexandrov via theF1.com

Sawtooth Nolders.

Excuse me? oh right, ...nolders..... sounds fancier than Gurney Flaps but that's precisely what they are, named after Dan Gurney who invented them in the early 1970's.

Anyway in this animation from Gazzetta dello Sport we see how no detail is too small when it comes to F1 aero developments. What's described is the revised front wing Ferrari is expected to use in Australia with its main features being the additions of the sawtooth nolders to maximize downforce at medium speeds and additional longitudinal flaps to minimize turbulence.

Perhaps more learned readers will chime in but I believe the sawtooth part has to do with managing how the boundary layer flows and turbulence.

The detail and shape of this year's Ferrari front wing just amazes me. Moving sculpture.

On a side note, if you are a Renault fan, Flavio Briatore will be in a live VideoChat on the Gazzetta web site starting at 9:30 am EST, 15:30 European time.

First Ferrari F2008 shakedown video

Fiorano today.


I had to chuckle a little when Luca Di Montezemolo asks Nicholas Todt where his "papá" is...

Ferrari F2008 Video and team interviews

This is what Ferrari released to the media, silent shots of the F2008 followed by interviews with Gilles Simon, Head of Engine Department, Aldo Costa (Technical Director) and Mario Almondo, Operations Department Director. Also quick interviews with Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen.

In the second clip a somewhat less canned interview with Kimi.

Three interesting things about the F2008 front end

A. This secondary wing which must clean up and split the airflow to the bottom of the car was already present on the F2007. For this year it looks to have been further refined in shape and thickened.

B. I have no clue at to what this mysterious pod hanging below the zero keel might be.

C. Fantastically complex shape of the front wing reminds some of the late 2007 Toyota design and is refinement of the front wing seen in Brazil 2007

Naturally, expect the wings and many of the details to look somewhat different in Australia and certainly nothing like this by the end of the season.


In general the 2008 has a shorter wheelbase, larger nose wing, a rear wing more over the rear axle, and smaller /shorter sidepods. This would indicate more weight to the front of the car, both physical and aero.

Perhaps if we have any aerodynamicists among our readers, they might post their thoughts.

First Pictures and technical specs of the Ferrari F2008

(images © Ferrari)


The F2008 is the fifty fourth single-seater built by Ferrari specifically to participate in the World Championship Formula 1.

The project, marked by internal acronym 659 is the interpretation by the Scuderia of the 2008 regulations whose main feature is the introduction of a new standard electronic system , called SECU (Electronic Control Standard Unit), produced by MES (McLaren Electronic Systems) and consists of a control unit and a single software whose development will be finalized to coincide by the beginning of the championship.

Other new regulations include: gearbox, which will be used for four consecutive events; safety, with the introduction of lateral protection highest in the area of pilot helmet; materials, with a limitation in the types of composites used. As a result of these changes has led to an increase in the weight of the car.

All aerodynamic surfaces have been completely revised, but the configuration that will be used at the first race will be completely different from today. An intensive development plan will continue throughout the season.

The chassis has been further expanded under the driver's legs, sidepods and bonnet have been more tapered.

The suspension system has been revised and developed around the new aerodynamics. Wheelbase and weight distribution were adjusted to the challenge presented by the new regulation and experience gained last year about the Bridgestone tyres.

Changes to technical and sporting regulations regarding electronics and the subsequent introduction of SECU led to the elimination of a series of drivers aids in such as as traction control, engine braking system and electronically departure control. Management of the differential , engine and gearbox have been greatly simplified. The gearbox will again be carbon and remains longitudinal. For the second consecutive year the gearbox will be "Quick-Shift", SECU adapted to the software and further sped up.

In the light of the new regulations, in terms of reliability the role of Shell gearbox lubricants are vital . The braking system has been updated with new and innovative concepts calipers and for cooling.

The 056 engine is mounted longitudinally and maintain its structural function. The basic structure remains unchanged compared to what approved at the beginning of last season but has been further developed as far as auxiliary systems, air and fuel intake.

The technical regulation also requires the use of petrol corresponding regulations of the European Union, with a content of components derived from biomass equal to 5.75%. As always, there is an important role of technical partners even at the design and development stage of the single-seater . The already mentioned Shell but also FIAT Research Center, in particular the use of simulation systems, and Brembo for the development of the brake system.

According to tradition, a great attention was paid to performance and the optimisation of materials, design and quality controls, trying to maximize the level of performance and achieve the highest safety standards possible.

TECHNICAL DATA
Chassis In composite honeycomb with carbon fibre
Ferrari gearbox mounted longitudinally
Limited slip Differential
semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox with quick-shift
gears: 7 + reverse
disc brakes air cooled carbon
suspensions independent strut with a torsion spring front / rear
weight (with water, oil and pilot): 605 kg
BBS wheels (front and rear): 13''
Engine Type: 056
Number of cylinders: V8 microcast aluminum : V 90 °
Number of valves: 32
Distribution: pneumatic
Capacity total: 2398 cm3
Bore: 98 mm
Weight: <95 Digital Electronic Injection: Magneti Marelli Electronic Ignition: Magneti Marelli Static Gasoline : Shell V-Power ULG64 Lubricants: Shell SL-1098