2004 Ferrari F2004

Maranello, 26th January, 2004 - The F2004 is the fiftieth car built by Ferrari to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship. The project, which goes by the code number 655, represents a further evolution of the concepts already seen in the F2003-GA. However, every element of the car has been completely redesigned in an attempt to create the best environment to get the most out of the new 053 engine and the Bridgestone tyres. The aerodynamic configuration has been fine tuned in the light of changes to the technical regulations, improving the efficiency of the package. Furthermore the car boasts a lower centre of gravity, while weight distribution has been improved as regards the chassis and the engine.

The chassis is new, both in terms of design and construction. Its weight has been reduced and it has an improved structure when compared with the F2003-GA. The bodywork, exhausts and the rear end have been redesigned, producing an improvement in aerodynamic performance. The front and rear suspension has been revised in order to improve the vehicles dynamic handling which leads to a greater efficiency in terms of getting the most out of the Bridgestone tyres, while also optimising the performance of the aerodynamic package. New materials have been used in the engine and transmission in order to reduce its size and weight. Modifications to the sporting regulations regarding the number of engines that can be used in the course of a Grand Prix weekend set new targets for the 053 engine design project: achieving the optimum reliability level, even though engine life now has to be double that in the past, while striving to improve performance. Once again the engine is a stressed member and is mounted longitudinally. Shell has played an important role in the research and design of the 053 and in terms of reaching the performance and reliability targets, coming up with new fuel and lubricants.

The transmission is once again mounted longitudinally to maintain the same layout as on the F2003-GA. It is a completely new design, providing a reduction in size and weight. The titanium gearbox has seven speeds (plus reverse) and, because of changes to the technical regulations, is operated directly by the driver. In keeping with a trend initiated by Ferrari back in 1997, which is now standard Formula 1 practice, the car features high-level exhausts, but compared with previous versions, they are mounted nearer the car&s centre line.

The F2004 represents a further step forward in the history of Ferrari&s single seaters. A great deal of time and attention was paid to making the most of the new materials and to optimising the various design stages as well as the quality control methods, all aimed at improving overall reliability and performance while making the car as safe as possible.

One engine for the entire race weekendThe new regulations for 2004 demand that a driver use just one engine for the entire race weekend, which means that the life of an engine must be substantially increased. Furthermore great attention must be paid to its reliability, especially in the second half of its working life which will coincide with Sunday&s race. To use an analogy, one could say that our not inconsiderable objective is to have an engine which runs well and strongly.

Therefore, the design and evaluation of the 053 engine, which started life as an evolution of its predecessor, the 052, prioritised reliability in its mission profile. The majority of engine components have been revised or designed from scratch: the engine can be adapted to suit the requirements of the championship.

Ferrari makes its 62nd One-Two in Melbourne

At the first race since launch control was banned, both Ferrari men made clean starts, Barrichello almost edging past Schumacher at the first turn, before trying again at Turn 3. Behind them, Alonso in the Renault had shot from fifth to third, as Montoya in the BMW-Williams went onto the grass at Turn 1.

Schumacher set a new lap record of 1&24&&125 on lap 29 and by the end of the race only four other drivers were on the same lap as the Ferrari pair. The two men shared the podium with Alonso.

Source - Ferrari

The F2004 is the fiftieth car built by Ferrari to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship.

The project, which goes by the code number 655, represents a further evolution of the concepts already seen in the F2003-GA. However, every element of the car has been completely redesigned in an attempt to create the best environment to get the most out of the new 053 engine and the Bridgestone tyres. The aerodynamic configuration has been fine tuned in the light of changes to the technical regulations, improving the efficiency of the package. Furthermore the car boasts a lower centre of gravity, while weight distribution has been improved as regards the chassis and the engine.




The transmission is once again mounted longitudinally to maintain the same layout as on the F2003-GA. It is a completely new design, providing a reduction in size and weight.
The titanium gearbox has seven speeds (plus reverse) and, because of changes to the technical regulations, is operated directly by the driver. In keeping with a trend initiated by Ferrari back in 1997, which is now standard Formula 1 practice, the car features high-level exhausts, but compared with previous versions, they are mounted nearer the car's centre line.
The F2004 represents a further step forward in the history of Ferrari's single seaters. A great deal of time and attention was paid to making the most of the new materials and to optimising the various design stages as well as the quality control methods, all aimed at improving overall reliability and performance while making the car as safe as possible.

Source - Ferrari