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During a presentation of the new Ferrari
Formula One racing car on 7th February in Maranello, Italy, the reigning world design
champion was brimming with confidence and optimism for the 2000 season.
Ferrari's aim is for the F1-2000 to win both titles in this 51st year of Formula One
racing. Traditionally, the new F1 Ferrari has always been presented in its home town of
Maranello, the "Ferrari capital", where it is developed, designed and built. The
Ferrari stable invited all its guests to the launch in a huge marquee, where the star of
the show, flanked by three silver Ferrari road cars, was initially swathed in a red velvet
sheet before being ceremoniously revealed to the 800 invited guests.
In a sea of flashing camera bulbs, Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and test pilot
Luca Badoer revealed the F1-2000 on which Ferrari has pinned its hopes for the coming
season.
This year, the 51st year of Formula One racing, the traditional Italian team intends to
finally win the world driver's championship, a title last won for Ferrari in 1979 by the
South African Jody Scheckter.
Luca di Montezemolo, president of Ferrari, stressed that action and results were now
needed on the track. In a special good luck gesture to the Ferrari team, Mr Montezemolo
invited Gianni Agnelli, honorary president of FIAT, to join him for a photograph with the
new car and its drivers.
Michael Schumacher was full of praise for the F1-2000: "It's a good-looking car, that
makes me optimistic. Of course we can't promise anything but we'll make every effort to
win both titles. The team and the fans deserve it."
Schumacher's new team-mate Rubens Barrichello is confident too: "With this car we
have the chance to clinch my first victory. I am very happy to be a member of the great
Ferrari family."
By contrast with its predecessor, the F1-2000 has been redesigned in terms of its
aerodynamics. The engine is also a new Ferrari design - smaller, more compact and with
even more power. The experts were not willing to divulge just how fast it is, however it's
no secret that its horsepower is well over 770. Some of the credit for this goes to
Ferrari's technology partner Shell, which is supplying the fuel and engine oil for the
Italian team. Shell worked closely with Ferrari designers on the development of the engine
during preparations for the season.
Ferrari's president, Mr Montezemolo, closed the presentation by saying: "We know it
will be difficult. The competition is very strong. But with our enthusiasm, steadfastness
and the good feeling that we have a better car we can achieve a great deal. This is
Ferrari 2000."
FERRARI F1-2000
Technical Specifications
Chassis: Carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure.
Transmission: Ferrari seven speed (plus reverse) longitudinal gearbox operated by
semi-automatic sequential electronically controlled gearchange. Limited slip differential.
Suspension: Independent, pushrod activated torsion springs front and rear.
Overall length: 4397mm.
Width: 1795mm.
Height: 959mm.
Wheelbase: 3010mm.
Front track: 1490mm.
Rear track: 1405mm.
Engine Designation: 049
Configuration: V10
Total displacement: 2997cc
Valves: 40, pneumatic distribution.
Electronics and ignition: Magneti Marelli |
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