Ferrari began extensive work in the Wind Tunnel using their F2009 car. This is one season before the F2009 will be available in a competitive lineup. The areas being focused on are those that will be affected by the new regulations for 2009.
Ferrari’s futuristic outlook regarding its F1 championships has become more apparent after Stefano Domenicali, the team’s Sporting director, confirmed that the team is already testing their 2009 challenger in a wind tunnel. Domenicali spoke to the Italian newspaper ‘Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The regulations will permit for some sensational developments which will greatly differentiate cars, while today’s possibilities of changing are limited by regulations we have had for many years.
Rules changes are expected to be extensive for the 2009 season. This is not only in safety but also in the interest of cost-curbing and environmental conservation. Slick tyres are expected to return. These changes are combined with the ban on driver aids such as traction control, and you can have an exciting season in 2009. This is especially true in the night races and changing weather.
“A scale model of the 2009 car has been in the wind tunnel for over a month. We’re doing experiments full-time and will need to return to the track again.
Domenicali also stressed the importance of team Ferrari’s dedication to cost-cutting, super efficiency, and that staff is unchanged.
“We will have to work in parallel to develop the car that is going to race.” We haven’t increased the team size, but the team size remains the same.