Ferrari unveils F2005 at Maranello

Ferrari unveiled the F2005 at team headquarters in Maranello on February 25th, the car that will make its competitive debut after the Malaysian Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello will race the interim F2004M for the first three events, while the F2005 will get its first track outing next week with test driver Luca Badoer behind the wheel.

The new Ferrrari F2005.

Photo by Ferrari Media Center.

Ferrari managing director Jean Todt is, naturally, aiming to continue his team's winning ways. "As always, this is an emotional moment, as we see the car that will defend the colours of this company in the forthcoming championship," he said.

"The Ferrari team is on great form and we want to repeat the successes of the past few years. We want to maintain our position and I would say I will to win is even stronger now."

In compliance with the new regulations for this year, the F2005 sports a raised front wing, further forward rear wing, and modifications to the floor and diffuser. Rory Byrne believes it's the "best ever Ferrari Formula One car" and for this he credited Aldo Costa, who succeeded him as overseer of design and development.

"Aldo Costa has been responsible for the entire F2005 project and I would like to congratulate him and his team who have carried out the research, structural calculation and design of the car and met all the objectives we defined at the start of the project," said Byrne.

Technical director Ross Brawn is 'extremely proud' of the car and also thinks it's the best the team has produced. "There are no radical features of this car but logical progressions in all the areas that we feel make a good racing car," he explained.

"It is stiffer, lighter, more stable, and, most importantly with the new tyre regulations, it should be less stressful on the tyres. The transmission is a further progression, now utilising more carbon in the structure to improve stiffness and reduce weight."

The new 055 engine was designed with reliability and integration with the car as focal points. The power output was not revealed but engine chief Paolo Martinelli said: "I can guarantee that again this year, all Ferrari's engine crew will work methodically and with determination to ensure there is "sufficient" horsepower, delivered in "driveable" and "reliable" manner to reach our targets for the 2005 F1 championship."

Brawn expects this season to be an interesting one. "In my opinion, we are facing one of the most interesting and challenging seasons for some years," he commented. "The change of regulations will definitely split the field, particularly at the beginning of the season, and the one tyre rule will bring a fascinating element to the races. As always, we cannot guarantee success, we can only guarantee that we will try our best."

Ferrari F2005 technical specifications

Chassis
Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Ferrari longitudinal gearbox limited-slip differential
Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox
Number of gears: 7 + reverse
Ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes
Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
Length: 4545 mm
Width: 1796 mm
Height: 959 mm
Wheelbase: 3050 mm
Front track: 1470 mm
Rear track: 1405 mm
Weight with water, lubricant and driver: 605 kg
Wheels (front and rear): 13"

Engine
Type: 055
Number of cylinders: V 10
Cylinder block in cast aluminium
Number of valves: 40
Pneumatic distribution
Total displacement: 2997 cm3
Magneti Marelli digital electronic injection
Magneti Marelli static electronic ignition