F1 - Ferrari F2007 Technical Analysis

[Rory Phoulorie]

Although the F2007's sidepods feature larger radiators, the slightly smaller air inlets and the steeper angle of the radiators have reduced the width of the car's cross-section. The barge boards (2) have also been heavily refined and now sport a more sculpted, serrated profile. Two small vertical fins have been added at the front to divert and adjust the airflow around the lower section of the sidepods. The winglets (3) in front of the sidepods have been narrowed at the top and feature wider vertical shields. This development is designed to work in conjunction with the winglets behind the cooling chimneys (top right). The rear end of the F2007 is visibly narrower and lower than its predecessor, improving the efficiency of the rear wing.

http://www.formula1.com/insight/technical_analysis/team/2007/3/373.html



One of the most noticeable changes to the new Ferrari has taken place to the mounting of its front suspension. Rather than the traditional single keel, which appeared on 2006's 248 F1, the F2007 sports a 'zero keel' arrangement - a first for Ferrari. Gone is last year's bulb-shaped keel. Instead the car's lower wishbones are attached directly to the lowest corners of the chassis (1). This modification should dramatically improve the efficiency of the bottom of the car by improving the quantity and quality of the airflow passing underneath.

http://www.formula1.com/insight/technical_analysis/team/2007/3/373.html

[elsa!!]

once it wins ALL the races is ALL that counts..... hopefully...







IF IT EH RED IT DEAD !

[Plex]

Interesting designs..

[Rory Phoulorie]

Technical Analysis - Grand Prix - Australia

Ferrari F2007 - rear wing & engine cover



This latest rear wing sports a double-sculpted main profile (lower arrow), with a much smaller flap that decreases in section at its extremities (upper arrow). The effect is raised rear downforce, without a noticeable increase in drag. This improves the car's overall aero balance, providing better handling, especially in the transition from fast to twisty sections of track. The engine cover is also slightly revised, its narrow 'shark fin' profile enhanced still further by a narrowing of the cover's base.

http://www.formula1.com/race/technical_analysis/770/389.html

Ferrari F2007 - revised sidepods



This series of changes is part of the aero package introduced at the recent Bahrain tests. They were developed to up aero efficiency while also assuring adequate engine cooling. The winglets (1) behind and connected to the chimneys now sport a single, rather than a double element, reducing drag. The cooling slits (2) are now asymmetrical in their layout, with the right sidepod featuring one less slit than the left. This will, of course, vary from race to race. Also asymmetrical is the positioning of the exhausts (3), with the one on the right slightly further forward than that on the left.

http://www.formula1.com/race/technical_analysis/770/389.html


Ferrari F2007 - rear wheelnut extension



Last season, Ferrari adopted shields to cover the rear wheel rims. These additions meant the mechanics could only access the wheels with their wheel guns through a small central hole. To improve the timing and precision of this operation, the F2007 has been fitted with a wheel nut extension, which enables the mechanics to fit the wheel gun onto the nut more easily. This modification has already improved the timings of the team's pit stops.

http://www.formula1.com/insight/technical_analysis/race/2007/770/394.html

Ferrari F2007 - front barge boards & suspension



This latest barge-board evolution was spotted on the Melbourne grid. The front edge bends noticeably outwards (black arrow), while the bottom edge is neatly rounded. The increased angles of the pillars connecting the board to the chassis (blue and yellow arrows) highlight the board's new, more curved shape. These changes are designed to divert more airflow away from this area and hence keep the bottom of the car free from turbulence. As on the launch version of the F2007, the barge boards retain a wing-like element on their top edge, designed to help raise the pressure of air passing towards the bottom of the car.

http://www.formula1.com/insight/technical_analysis/race/2007/770/394.html

[Rory Phoulorie]

Technical Analysis - Grand Prix - Malaysia

Ferrari F2007 - softer Bridgestone tyres



In Friday practice at Sepang, the softer of the two Bridgestone tyre compounds (recognisable from the white groove) unusually provided better overall performance than the prime tyre. One problem all teams did have with it, however, was its tendency to slide more in corners - due to its lower resistance to sideways forces (symbolised by double yellow arrow). Only Ferrari seemed able to fully exploit both Bridgestone compounds, perhaps due to the specifics of their camber angles. Ferrari too experienced sliding with the soft tyre, but it didn't seem to compromise their lap times thanks to its better traction on the straights.

Ferrari F2007 - harder Bridgestone tyres



At Sepang on Friday, the harder tyre was also sliding in corners, though not nearly as much as the softer compound (hence single, rather than double, yellow arrow), but provided less traction on the straights - and hence a lower final top speed. This meant using the harder, more cautious option didn't pay off. Ferrari was one of the few teams able to maintain a strong pace on this tyre - something that could be key in Sunday's race when the use of both compounds is compulsory for all drivers.

http://www.formula1.com/race/technical_analysis/771/400.html