Ferrari have just unveiled their 63rd Formula 1 car for the 2017 season. Known as the SF70H their latest iteration is a dramatically different car in response to the new rules from the FIA.
The new car features a lengthened nose and with the now mandated arrow-shaped wing, along with the fin on the engine cover. As one of the teams with the deepest pockets (thanks sponsors) you can tell the team have developed a plethora complex aero appendages ahead of the air intakes on the sidepods and that front wing has more blades than a Schick factory.
While this year’s changes are focus on increasing mechanical grip, F1 will continue to lead the way in aerodynamics development. Brake ducts, the roll hoop and the air intakes have all been completely redesigned on this year’s Ferrari.
Connecting those new, wider tyres to the road means an updated suspension layout. The hubs are still 13″ in size, but the 2016 design of the hubs and the wheel nuts have been thrown out and redone, in an effort to help in pit stops. The new Pirelli tyres are much wider, 6cm each at the front and 8cm at the rear making the overall width of the car, 2 metres. This will results in faster lap times, which increases the reliance on the car’s stopping power, which sees the braking systems also beefed up.
The last few years have been dominated by Mercedes-Benz, largely due to their ability to develop the best power plant. Ferrari have addressed that with a predicted increase in performance and focus on reliability as a higher percentage laps to be spent at full revs.
The internals of the 1.6L turbocharged 062 engine have been revised with a strong focus on the hybrid power unit. This year, the fuel loads increase from 100 to 105 Kg, although the flow rate is still fixed at 100 kg/hour. The overall weight, including driver is just 728kg, or at least half your road car.
Fortunately the FIA seen sense and have abolished the controversial “Token” system, which seen many drivers and teams penalised for trying to catch up and leap frog the top of the grid. That always seemed counter-productive to the ultimate goal of Formula 1, which is to push motorsport technology to the limits and put on a show for the fans while doing it.
