Ferrari became the first team to unveil its 2011 single-seater when it pulled the covers off its new F150 at Maranello on Friday.

The F150 is the fifty-seventh single-seater built by Ferrari to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship. The Maranello marque chose the name as a tribute and celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Unification of Italy.

Various factors influenced the design of the car, especially on the aerodynamic front, to the extent that the F150 can be seen as severing ties with the recent past. The innovative aspects are in part dictated by changes to the regulations and partly down to original thinking from Ferrari's designers.

Double Diffuser Out, KERS In

As far as the rule changes from 2010 are concerned, the double diffuser and the blown rear wing are banned, as is the use of apertures in the front part of the floor, while the use of an hydraulically controlled adjustable rear wing has been introduced. After an unofficial agreement saw its use banned for 2010, KERS is back this year, thanks partly to the increase in the car's minimum weight and stricter controls on weight distribution figures. The Scuderia has decided to incorporate this technology on the F150 and this has had a significant impact on the design, also taking into account that the dimensions of the fuel cell are very different to what they were in 2009. Also significant are changes dictated by the introduction of stricter safety requirements in terms of crash-tests, cockpit area protection and wheel-retaining cables for use in accidents.

The Design

At first glance, the front part of the F150 monocoque appears to be higher than that of the F10. The openings for the side air intakes are reduced in size, while the layout of the dynamic one above the driver's head has been modified. The rear suspension features a new design, while that at the front has been modified, following changes to the front part of the chassis. The exhaust system layout is similar to that adopted for the second half of last season and the cooling system has had to take into account the return of KERS and the new air exit ducts. The braking system has been completely redesigned in collaboration with Brembo.

Pirelli Tires

However, the aerodynamic package sported by the car at the presentation is very different to the one which will be seen for the first race in Bahrain: for the early stages of testing, the decision was taken to concentrate on development aspects linked to the mechanical components and on developing an understanding of the Pirelli tires, while continuing to push on the development of aerodynamic performance in the wind tunnel. Indeed, the tires will be another significant new element this season: after a thirteen year relationship with Bridgestone, this year it is Pirelli who take up the baton as sole supplier to Formula 1 for the next three years and thus provide the tires for the cars from Maranello. Given that the teams have so far only managed two days of testing with the new tires back in November, clearly the fifteen days of testing prior to the start of the season will be very important when it comes to adapting the handling of the car to the tires.

More Reliable Engine

As the freeze on engine performance development is still ongoing, there have been no actual modifications to the 056 engine, but that does not mean Ferrari's engine specialists have been idle. Work has gone into improving reliability, working especially on the pneumatic front, as well as on reducing costs. Furthermore, the reintroduction of KERS has led to a substantial change in the architecture of the front end of the engine, with modifications to the drive shaft system of the KERS itself and the crankshaft and this has led to changes to the cooling and lubrication systems.

The number of testing days available to the teams remains the same, with 15 prior to the start of the season, therefore preparatory work on the test beds, prior to taking to the track has been ever more important, both on the chassis side and for areas such as the gearbox, engine and KERS.

Technical Specifications

Chassis

- Carbon-fiber and honeycomb composite structure
- Ferrari longitudinal gearbox
- Limited-slip differential
- Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox - quick shift
- Number of gears: 7 +Reverse
- Brembo ventilated carbon-fiber disc brakes
- Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
- Weight with water, lubricant and driver: 1411 lbs (640 kg)
- BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13"

Engine

- Type: 056
- Number of cylinders: 8
- Cylinder block in sand cast aluminum V 90°
- Number of valves: 32
- Pneumatic distribution
- Total displacement: 146 cu in (2398 cc)
- Piston bore: 98 mm
- Weight: > 210 lbs (95 kg)
- Electronic injection and ignition
- Fuel: Shell V-Power
- Lubricant: Shell Helix Ultra