Tifosi involved
Who is who of Ferrari
The F2001
Improvements
Welcome to Fiorano
The presentation of Ferrari’s new Formula One car for the
forthcoming season has always been a major event for both the
press and the tifosi. In 2001, the launch of the new Formula One
Ferrari took place on January 29 in a large tent which had been
erected on the Fiorano test track. In front of the tent, the current
production range of Ferrari’s road cars was on display: 360
Modena, 360 Spider, 550 Maranello and 456 M GT – all in ”Giallo
Modena”, ”Modena yellow”.
Tifosi involved
For the first time, Ferrari did not only invite the international press,
but also a lot of tifosi who are members of the recently founded
”Ferrari World Club”. They provided the background for the
presentation: Sitting on a tribune behind the podium on which the
new Formula One car was placed, the fans had been equipped
with red and white shawls. The tifosi were placed on the tribune
following a special scheme which: When viewed from a distance,
the people dressed in white shawls ”spelled” the letters ”F2001”
with their bodies amidst the mass of the other tifosi dressed in red.
Who is who of Ferrari
”F2001” – the designation of the new Formula One car was already
unveiled. Hundreds of journalists from all over the world, the
majority of the board of directors both of Ferrari and Fiat, many
special guests and some selected (VIP-)customers did attend the
event. Ferrari’s head of the communications, Antonio Ghini, did
welcome the guests. After Jean Todt had reviewed the 2000
season which brought the World Championship Title to Maranello,
the new F2001 – which had been hidden under a red cover on the
podium – was unveiled by Michael Schumacher, Rubens
Barrichello and Luca Badoer. Ferrari’s CEO, Luca Cordero di
Montezemolo, did thank the team for their efforts during the last
season, and he did also thank the tifosi for the outstanding
support. Luca di Montezemolo and the entire Scuderia –
consisting of no less than 600 employees! – promised to do
anything possible to keep the World Championship Title in 2001.
But Jean Todt did admit that he expects the fight in Formula One
to become even tougher. Well, we will see.
The F2001
The F2001 is Ferrari’s 47th Formula One model. Its new engine is
designated Tipo 050 and is again a three-litre V10 90°. Paolo
Martinelli, head of the engine development, explained that an
entirely new engine test bed had been used for the design of the
”050” which resulted in improved airflow dynamics. The engine’s
all-aluminium case is new, too. Especially remarkable is the
styling of the F2001: It has been changed substantially compared
to the F-2000. As Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne explained, there
has been a special emphasis on improving the safety
specifications of the car. The F2001 sports a new side-impact
protection which is able to absorb four times as much energy than
on the previous model. Aerodynamics have been altered
remarkably as well: Interestingly, the ”nose” of the the F2001
resembles the one of the McLaren-Mercedes of the 2000 season:
It’s a hooked nose. Even more fascinating is the fact that
McLaren’s new car for 2001 – which has been launched shortly
after – features a nose-styling which is pretty similar to the one on
Ferrari’s F-2000…
Improvements
However, other improvements include the wheel-bearings which we
specially designed for the Bridgestone tyres to be used during the
upcoming season. The gearbox remained unchanged up to now,
but a totally new example was undergoing development at the time
of the launch.
After the usual announcements for the 2001 Formula One season
by Ferrari officials, the drivers and the developers, the official part
of the event was over and the pilots and Jean Todt were available
for interviews in much smaller circles in special rooms adjacent to
the main tent.
Barchetta.cc wishes the Scuderia all the best for the 2001 season!
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