It's called SF71H, it's usually flaming red and is ready to run. The new Ferrari that will compete in the 2018 Formula One world championship was presented today in Maranello. The managing director Sergio Marchionne and Piero Ferrari were present.
Enthusiastic drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. “As you can see, she's beautiful, and when she's beautiful, she's also fast” says the Finnish driver, while the other admits that “I can't wait to drive her.
The new Ferrari SF71H has a completely new nose, which narrows at the tip. Right there is a space that is still white at the moment, belonging to the main sponsor, Philip Morris. The car presented itself with one particular detail above all: a sort of unprecedented 'cage' in front of the passenger compartment.
“On an aesthetic level – reads the Ferrari website – the presence of the Halo stands out, the cockpit protection structure which, after two years of testing on the track, this year becomes part of the regulation. Its weight (about 7 kg, plus installations) is only partially compensated by the increase in the minimum value of 5 kg - from 728 to 733 - established by the 2018 regulation".
“Compared to the 70 SF2017H – explains the company – the wheelbase has been slightly modified, reviewing both the lateral dimensions and the cooling system. The suspension maintains the tested layout that sees the push-rod at the front and the pull-rod at the rear, but they have been updated using the experience of the first season with the wider tyres”.
After today's presentation, Thursday 22 February, the SF71H will go to Barcelona, on the Circuit de Catalunya, where a "filming day" is scheduled for Sunday 25th. The actual tests will begin on Monday 26th. The first session will last until Thursday 1 March; the second, on the same track, will be held from 6 to 9 March. Both will be attended by Scuderia Ferrari's regular drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.
