The new Ferrari F1 car, code named SF70H, a reference to this year's being the 70th anniversary of the sportscar company, was launched this week and next week will be at Barcelona to perform the public fist tests of the new 2017 F1 season. Vettel and Raikkonen will be at the Catalunia circuit to collect data to tune and evolve the new car.
"You can see it is a step forward and you can feel it is a step forward," Vettel said.
"It is fun to drive. The car looks big and strong. The first impression is the right one. It was a good start."
There are unusually high and square air intakes into the sidepods,
which are integrated with airflow conditioners in a region of the car in
which many teams have exhibited intricate and complex bodywork parts
aimed at maximising airflow and aerodynamic downforce.
The car
features a 'shark-fin' engine cover, at the rear end of which is a
high-mounted narrow wing that is expected to feature on most of the
cars. Already labelled a T-wing, it exploits a loophole in the bodywork
regulations and cleans up the airflow in the region of the rear wing.
The 63rd single-seater designed and built by Scuderia Ferrari to take
part in the Formula 1 World Championship is born out of a regulation
change that is without precedent in this category of motor sport.
Generally, in the past, regulations went in the direction of slowing
down the cars. However, this year, the rule changes go in the opposite
direction, meaning the cars have more aerodynamic downforce and more
mechanical grip.
Sources:
http://sf70h.ferrari.com/en/ and
http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula-one/39075277
