Ferrari to debut new diffuser in Barcelona
06 May 2009
The Ferrari team will be taking a new double diffuser to the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend as the Italian squad strives to catch the likes of Brawn, Red Bull and Toyota at the front of the field. As well as the diffuser, the Scuderia will be introducing a lighter car for 2008 Spain winner Kimi Räikkönen, the heavier of the two drivers.Amid the team's struggle at the start of this season, company president Luca di Montezemolo was on hand in BahrainAmid the team's struggle at the start of this season, company president Luca di Montezemolo was on hand in BahrainWith a total of 104 points, the top three teams already have more than treble the amount of points in the constructors' championship than the rest of the field added together. Ferrari lies ninth in the standings, ahead of only Force India, although a combination of KERS and a cocktail of new aerodynamic parts is looking to boost the red cars in Barcelona.The F60's newest components include changes to the bodywork as well as front and rear wing additions and modifications. The team has also brought forward changes due originally for the Grands Prix of Turkey and Great Britain in June, with development of the new diffuser hurried since the FIA's approval of the devices on 14 April. Although testing during the season is essentially banned this year, running for aerodynamic purposes is permitted for limited days during the year; Marc Gené tested the car in Italy last week, with his test team reporting larger amounts of downforce as a result of the new diffuser.Championship runner-up in 2008, Felipe Massa is yet to score a point in 2009Championship runner-up in 2008, Felipe Massa is yet to score a point in 2009The diffuser's installation has involved the redesigning in other departments as well as aerodynamics, with both 'complicated' electronic and hydraulic adjustments being made at the rear of the car in order to accommodate the new component.The team has also announced that a lighter chassis will be used in Barcelona by Kimi Räikkönen, with the Finn weighing in heavier than team-mate Felipe Massa as a result of his general build and height; the objective is for the added mass of the KERS device (30-40kg / approx. 4.5 - 6 stone) to no longer act as such a burden to Räikkönen, who had already lost weight on the runup to the season. The team predicts good reliability, with cooler temperatures in Spain than those in countries such as Bahrain or Malaysia. |
發表於 2009-5-7 12:18 PM
| 
