Maranello, 22 February, 2018 |
The SF71H (the code name for the 669 project) is the sixty fourth
single-seater car designed and produced by Ferrari to compete in the
Formula 1 World Championship. Rule changes introduced last season led
to the introduction of significant aerodynamic modifications and wider tyres,
all aimed at increasing performance. Therefore the new 2018 Ferrari F1 car
has been created to make the most of the experience gained last year.
Compared to 2017’s SF70H, the wheelbase has been changed slightly, with
the side dimensions also revised along with the cooling system. The
suspension follows the tried and tested practice of using push-rods at the
front and pull-rods at the rear, however, their design has been updated
based on experience gained during the first season running the wider tyres. |
Cockpit protection |
The most obvious element to catch the eye is the Halo, designed to protect the cockpit area. After two
years of on-track testing, it has now entered the rule book. It weighs around 7 Kg, plus fittings and this has
only been partly compensated for with an increase of 5 Kg – from 728 to 733 – to the minimum car weight
set in the 2018 regulations. |
Power Unit |
The number of V6 engines that can be used over the course of the season, without incurring a penalty,
continues to decrease, this year from 4 to 3. The same number applies to the turbo-compressor and
MGU-H – the energy recovery system attached to the turbo – while only 2 MGU-K -the device that
generates kinetic energy linked to the transmission – are allowed over the year, a figure which also applies
to the electronic control unit and the batteries. Therefore those in the engine department have also based
their work on these new parameters. |
The programme |
After it’s launch on Thursday 22nd February, the SF71H will be transported to Barcelona’s Catalunya
Circuit, for a filming day on Sunday 25th, followed by the start of testing proper on Monday 26th. The first
session runs to the end of Thursday 1st March, while the second test takes place at the same circuit from
6th to 9th March. Both Scuderia Ferrari race drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel will be driving. |