Ferrari has unveiled their 2012 challenger on their official website. Called the F2012, this car sports a somewhat radical design with the staggered nose that you can see in the photographs one of its key features. The name is also indicative of a shift in nomenclature to the original F1 nomenclature. They'd departed from this twice when they called their 2009 car the F60 and 2011 car the F150 Italia.
The car that Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will pilot in their 2012 F1 assault was unveiled online due to heavy snowfall in Maranello.
The F2012 will make its testing debut at the first official test session at Jerez next week.
Now, the staggered or stepped-nose design might look strange, but it's in keeping with the new regulations that control front chassis height. Overall too, the entire car has been reworked for 2012.
The front and rear suspension now feature a new pull-rod layout, while the sidepods have been redesigned too. The car also has a rather narrow waist which is also lower. Another visible change are the new exhausts which now exit via the bodywork due to the ban on the blown diffuser.
The F2012 is powered by an engine that is essentially an evolution of the one that powered the 2011 car, while the engineering team has worked on achieving the highest performance level through each engine's cycle of use.
The F2012 also has a KERS system that has been designed keeping improved efficiency and safety in mind.
The F2012 is the 58th car built by Ferrari with the express purpose of taking part in the FIA Formula One World Championship.
F2012 SPECIFICATIONS:
Chassis
— Carbon-fibre 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-fibre disc brakes
— Independent suspension, pull-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
— Weight with water, lubricant and driver: 640 kg
— OZ Wheels (front and rear): 13”
Engine
— Type: 056
— Number of cylinders: 8
— Cylinder block in sand cast aluminium V 90°
— Number of valves: 32
— Pneumatic distribution
— Total displacement: 2398 cm3
— Piston bore: 98 mm
— Weight > 95 kg
— Electronic injection and ignition
— Fuel: Shell V-Power
— Lubricant: Shell Helix Ultra
