Sexy concept car could spur changes
Ferrari has penned an F1 design concept and asked the public for its feedback, writes Mark Smyth
OUT of the blue, Ferrari released pictures of its idea of an F1 concept car. The timing was perfect because it coincided with a meeting of the F1 Commission in Geneva where the main point of discussion was changes to the regulations for 2016.
Ferrari had been pushing for a rule change that would move the field to adopt twin-turbo V8 engines, which would not only allow it and the other manufacturers to showcase their latest engine technology but would also bring back the high-revving sound of a V8 engine to the F1 circuits of the world.
Sadly, that request was ignored by the commission but many changes are on the cards and Ferrari will be hoping that its sexy design concept will spur the rule makers into making significant changes.
The company released little The rear appears to take a few design cues from Le Mans cars. information on its concept though, instead choosing to ask the fans for their input.
“Would it be possible to come up with an F1 car which not only is technologically advanced, but also captivating to the eye and aggressive looking?” the company asked on its Scuderia Ferrari website. “And this could be made without having to overturn the current technical rules.
“Let us introduce you to the ‘concept design’ that was conceived by our design studio (Ferrari Centro Stile) together with the Scuderia’s aero department. Minimal changes give the car a look that is way different from what you have been familiar with so far. Our challenge was to create something that was — to put it short — better looking.”
No doubt the most successful team in F1 history is hoping it can use the feedback to put pressure on the management of F1 to make changes that spectators want to see. More importantly for Ferrari it wants to get back to the days when it could use F1 to show and test its latest technol- ogy. It is an area that has come in for criticism in recent years.
Teams have often complained they are being dictated to rather than being allowed to influence the rules to create a better relationship between their F1 cars and their road cars.
Whether Ferrari will succeed in using public feedback to bolster its own lobbying remains to be seen but there is no denying the concept you see here is far better looking than the cars that will take to the grid when the new season begins next month.