Ferrari F1 team unveils F60 monopost

The first to launch a racecar for the 2009 F1 series, Ferrari has unveiled the F60 in a low-profile event at the firm’s Maranello base. The F60 designation stands for the fact that it was only the Ferrari brand that run all 60 seasons and is in no way connected to a famous supercar ten years ago with the same name.

Due to F1’s regulations for this year the F60 comes with a lower but wider front wing and a taller but narrower rear wing. This new aerodynamic configuration will certainly have a considerably lesser amount of downforce in contrast to last year’s version, however, this current version enables the driver to make some minor adjustments for the front wing from the cockpit. A return of slick tires and the optional Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) will be seen on the F60.
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HSCenterconsole - 1/13/2009 9:38:23 AM

+3 Boost

I don't know how I feel about the new look of this upcoming season's F1 cars. I prefer last season with all the aerodynamic winglets and fins personally. These look so lower-tech and IRL like.

Scuderia - 1/13/2009 11:52:50 AM

+3 Boost

The size of the front wing will make it very susceptible to damage especially in the first turns of the race. It should be fun to watch though.

holmstar - 1/13/2009 11:59:56 AM

+3 Boost

I suppose that the point of limiting down force is to force drivers to drive more slowly (and theoretically more safely, due to reduced kinetic energy involved). But I cant help but to think that reduced down force is going to make spin-outs more likely, and thus make the cars less safe at the same time.

then again, maybe they want spin-outs... crashes = better TV ratings.

JVince - 1/13/2009 12:24:57 PM

+3 Boost

The idea of reducing the rear wing area is not to reduce downforce to force drivers to drive more safely but to increase overtaking. One of the problems with previous years' specs is that the front wing is highly sensitive to disruptions in airflow and when following behind a car in order to overtake, the downwash from the car in front creates turbulent airflow that reduces the effectiveness of the downforce and therefore the handling of the following car. Loss of handling usually results in loss of opportunity to overtake. So all these regulations are intended to create more exciting races. We'll see if it works. Personally I think it looks hideous but at the same time, I do like the idea of simplifying the aerodynamics of the car.

ThierryHenry14 - 1/13/2009 4:46:05 PM

+2 Boost

Another point of reduced aerodynamics is also cost reduction of aerodynamic research.

stevenv1999 - 1/13/2009 12:07:52 PM

+1 Boost

I think that simplifying the aeordynamics is a good idea, because having fewer parameters to fiddle with can will make lesser teams more competitive due to less things needing to be juggled.

rigid - 1/13/2009 1:57:25 PM

0 Boost

Should we expect the MacLaren in a few days? I figure since they just get their technical info from their Ferrari inside sources they should be about ready to release their own F60.

ThierryHenry14 - 1/13/2009 4:48:03 PM

+1 Boost

Thats why they have from now until March to do it. But in either case, they will not get used to it until midseason, as was the case with the lack of engine breaking management system that they did away with the prior year.

M53R - 1/14/2009 3:54:03 PM

+1 Boost

LOL @ TheSailor

BMW promised that they would be competing on the number one spot this season. So lets see what they'll do.

PintoRacer - 1/15/2009 7:07:00 PM

+1 Boost

Looks like a go kart compared to the previous year. BOOO!