The car that will carry Scuderia Ferrari’s hopes of retaining the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship titles was unveiled in Maranello last Friday.

The F2005 project is the responsibility of Aldo Costa and is the fifty first single-seater built by Ferrari specifically to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship. The design, which bears the internal code number 656, represents Ferrari’s more exhaustive interpretation of the 2005 technical regulations. The main elements relating to aerodynamics are more advanced than on the F2004M.

The chassis is lighter, despite the need to strengthen the lateral anti-intrusion panels within the monocoque to increase its ability to meet the requirements of the crash-test, which is stricter than in the past. The shape has been revised, with modifications to the opening of the side pods and the area around the turning vanes. The side pods have been adapted to accommodate the new cooling system.

The engine cover has been redesigned, as have the aerodynamic devices on the side pods, with a secondary winglet introduced in the area of the roll-hoop. The layout of the exhausts is fundamentally different to that of the previous car, eliminating the aerodynamic profile which characterised the rear section, which is now almost entirely integrated within the bodywork.

While retaining the longitudinal architecture for the transmission, the entire rear end has been changed in an attempt to get the most out of the size of the gearbox, which is smaller than its predecessor and made from titanium and carbon fibre. Naturally, the limitations introduced by the new regulations were taken into account during the design stage.

The rear suspension has been revised, with the twin aims of improving the car’s dynamics in order to optimise the efficiency of operation for the Bridgestone tyres, while also improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the rear. The floor of the car has also been substantially redesigned to fit in with the new dimensions of the gearbox and comply with the new regulations. Two areas that benefited from a major effort during the design stage were the braking and electronics systems.

The 055 engine is load-bearing and mounted longitudinally. Much of the internal componentry derives from the last version of the 053, currently fitted to the F2004M. The main changes centre on the mounting points to chassis and gearbox. Its designers aimed to come up with an engine able to maintain a sufficient level of performance, doubling its life given that the sporting regulations introduced this year require the use of the same engine for two consecutive race weekends.

The F2005 represents the final evolution in a line of Ferrari Formula 1 cars fitted with a ten cylinder engine, as next year sees the introduction of the 2.4 litre V8 engines.

The F2005 will not be making the trip to the first GP in Australia, as Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello will start the year at the wheel of the F2004M, the modified version of last year’s car. This will allow extra time for development and track testing of the new car and its 055 engine, prior to its debut after the first few grands prix.

The F2005 may make its race debut in Barcelona (Race 5), depending on the results of testing, but Ferrari state that might be possible to introduce it in Bahrain (Race 3), this is thought to be in response to fears that the F2004M may not be quick enough to compete with the new McLaren and Renault cars.

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