Evolution and not revolution for the Scuderia Ferrari single-seater 2018 that will aim to lengthen the wheelbase a little, going beyond the 3.594 mm machine price of the 2017 car which won five GPs in 2017. Here are the first rumors …
In Maranello there are those who are working hard: they are the technicians of the Racing Department that have to review the kinematics of the front suspension, after the FIA has limited to 5 mm the influence of the steering in the variation of the height of the front. The provision signed by Charlie Whiting on 12 December did not please the Scuderia because it arrived when the 2018 single-seater is already in an advanced stage of production.
The first body, in fact, was subjected to the frontal crash test that was passed on the first attempt without any problem. The 669, this is his design theme, will be an evolution of the SF70H and will not represent, therefore, a revolution, after the brilliant results achieved by the 2017 Red that won five victories with Sebastian Vettel who has long remained in the lead to the drivers’ championship standings, before eventually Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes W08 winning the title.
According to the first rumors that filter on the Ferrari 2018 we do not expect clamorous changes of concept from the car that already in the Australian GP had proved competitive and winning, maintaining a good degree of development during the season both at the canvas and aerodynamic level, despite the fact that there were several problems with the power unit from Monza onwards.
The development of the engine during the 2017 Formula One season was not equal to expectations, given that the power unit number 4, which should have been foreshadowing of the 2018 unit, turned out to be a true bluff that eventually cost precious points and the impossibility to challenge Hamilton for the world championship until the end.
It seems that the chief designer Simone Resta, well supported by the expert Rory Byrne, has slightly stretched the pace of 669 compared to the 3.594 mm of the SF70H and should exceed the 3,600 mm wall, just as Mercedes will slightly reduce the wheelbase of its ” aircraft carrier “, as the W08 with its 3,760 mm was by far the longest car in the Circus. Next year, therefore, there will be a certain … convergence on the wheelbase (Ferrari a little longer and Mercedes shorter), without upsetting the single-seater lay out that showed great qualities. The flow conveyor in front of the real bellies will remain on the Red: this aerodynamic configuration that allows you to keep the carbon cone of the side anti-intrusion out of the actual side, could very well be seen on other 2018 single-seaters that will be inspired by the SF70H.
In this way the Cavallino’s designers managed to remove the radiating masses of the power unit from the turbulence generated by the front wheel, obtaining a very efficient solution for engine cooling. It is said that much care has been given to the placement of the radiators that should have a refrigerant pack less resistance to the advancement of the Scuderia.
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