Thanks to saqi58 on Tifosiland Lounge for the translation of La gazzeta article on Ferrari 2012
In less than a month, we will be seeing a Ferrari, that has no ties with the past at the
Maranello unveilling, expected at the beginning of February.
Changes: There will be a number of changes starting with the external “dressing”,
even if initially the single-seater will be camouflaged, using the same wings that the
150' Italia ended the season with (numbers 1 and 9). Rather than predicting what
those changes might be, we chose to create a mosaic of the expected changes,
starting with those already simplistically applied to the 2011 single-seater, namely
the two regulations that will impact on all the cars as compared to last year’s
models, the height of the rear of the car, thus the height of the nose (2) and the
banning of the blown diffuser (6).
Diffuser: Previously banned, now subject to very strict electronic limits to avoid hot
exhausts, even when in low acceleration, Red Bull’s strength in 2011. Of the two
new regulations, especially the second, has influenced the rear aerodynamic
design, basically from scratch. It’s important to remember that the primary
objective of everyone in research is to find a solution that will not nullify the
advantages obtained in 2011 of the hot exhaust in the diffuser. In fact, the research
is concentrated on how to position and direct the residual effect blown, to render
the rear wings more efficient, comprised of two levels that are distinguishable.
Incline/heigh: The regulations restrict the exhausts in the area away from the
diffuser and rear (6) of the car, has left a certain amount of freedom (around 30' on
the longitudinal axis/side and 10' on the transversal) that will allow a notable
variation on the possible solutions for the rear wings. And the rear is exactly where
we will see different and unedited solutions.
Intake/Aspiration: The Ferrari (like the ToroRosso) introduced, since the Belgium GP, a new
group of diffusers which uses a sort of “lung” ventricle (5) that might guarantee a
type of hot exhaust, even in low acceleration and without contravening the bans
imposed by the FIA on the electronics.
Suspension: Untried, at least for the Reds, the rear axle will be very low and very
wide, but most importantly will be a pull-rod rear suspension design, in line with
what most of the other teams have been using since 2011 based on the
revolutionary design introduced by Red Bull in 2009. Based on the McLaren,
however, the driving position, with the driver more reclined and seated lower; a
choice that was experimented with by the Ferrari drivers on the 150' Italia since the
Turkish GP. The new Ferrari should therefore appear slimmer and smaller at the
sides and at the rear axle. Finally, let’s not forget that the responsibility for the new
project, Pat Fry, had the same role at McLaren in 2009, thus it is inevitable that there
will be some similarities with the MP4 single-seater.
Word from TruZoneF1 & Jose Louis is that the new floor Byrne recently came up with has been preliminary tested in CFD and the results have been in line with what Rory thought they would be. It seems that the new floor seems to seal the air below to the diffuser and seems quite effective. Next is more analyzing the data, further CFD testing to make sure other parts aren't being affected negatively then the tunnel.
Also has Pat Fry has mentioned publicly they've had problems since changing how the TD does things & outside manufacturers haven't been able to keep up. Word is Montezemolo made a call and made an ultimatum; 5 days to have the new parts there or Ferrari would pull out as well as all Fiat & Chrysler needs. The parts are in Maranello already with one of the vendors using a private plane. Can't wait for the first test!!
