The F2003 launch!

Not a pretty car at all, but a few radical eliments to the body shape. Man, how low can they go with the rear cowling?:)

Beat me to it! :p

Pictures:

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/photos/2003/index_team-ferrari.shtml

http://a324.g.akamai.net/f/324/3126/1d/www.f1-live.com/photos/2003/team-ferrari/diapo_123.jpg

http://a324.g.akamai.net/f/324/3126/1d/www.f1-live.com/photos/2003/team-ferrari/diapo_101.jpg

The heart of the beast:

http://a324.g.akamai.net/f/324/3126/1d/www.f1-live.com/photos/2003/team-ferrari/diapo_105.jpg

Alex

Taken from F1-live:

F2003-GA specs:
Chassis: Carbon fibre and honeycombed composite materials
Engine: 052, 10-cylinder V, 40 valves, pneumatic valve drive, Magneti Marelli engine management
Capacity: 2,997 cc
Transmission: Semi-automatic, sequential, electronically- controlled
Number of gears: 7 + reverse
Suspension: Double wishbone front and rear
Brakes: Carbon discs
Length: 4545 mm
Width: 1796 mm
Height: 959 mm
Wheelbase: 3100 mm
Weight, including driver: 600 kg

And in case you're wondering, this is a totally new chassis (both design and the construction) and it looks the business too! :)


Some more information:


World champion Ferrari issued a warning to its Formula One rivals here Friday, unveiling a new car for the 2003 season it claims is even better than last year's record-breaking model.

The launch took place under tight security at the Italian team's prestigious headquarters near the northern city of Bologna in front of sponsors, drivers, journalists and selected fans.

Ferrari, seeking its fifth straight constructors' title this season, said although the adjustments had been minimal, the new car is lighter and sleeker, making it more aerodynamic and therefore faster.

The car has been named the F2003 G.A. in memory of the late Gianni Agnelli whose company FIAT own Ferrari. Agnelli died last month at the age of 81.

Hailed as a "significant step forward" by the creators, Ferrari, who won 15 out of 17 races last season, believe its new baby will hold the road better and enable five-time champion Michael Schumacher to drive with more precision.

"The car in wonderful," said Schumacher. "I'm in love with the car, the team and the fans. I am determined as ever to win the title." Number two driver Rubens Barichello was equally impressed. "I just can't stop looking at it - its beautiful," said the Brazilian. "I'm very happy and convinced we can win the championship again."


Ross Brawn, Ferrari's technical director, said the F2003 had exceeded all of his expectations. "This car has been the biggest step in performance to date," he said. "I can truthfully say that every year there has been an improvement on the previous 12 months."

Brawn insisted the team had lost none of its hunger, despite finishing streets ahead of its competitors last year. "The enemy of success is complacency so there will be the same level of effort from Ferrari. You need that to win championships," he said.

The side pods, radiator lay-out and inboard rear suspension are fundamentally new, improving the car's aerodynamic performance and cooling efficiency. The gears have been redesigned to save weight and durability, while the power steering has been modified to create an improved understanding of the interaction between tyre and car.

A more sophisticated electronic system, incorporating new state-of- the-art software, has been incorporated to improve control of the engine and gearbox, as well as giving better data acquisition. The new Ferrari however will not be used for the first Formula One race of the season in Melbourne, Australia on March 9.

It is expected to be given its first outing at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola in April. This year Schumacher is seeking a record- breaking sixth drivers' championship. The German equalled Argentine legend Juan-Manuel Fangios record of five world championships last season. No driver has in Formula One history has won six world championships.


Now, how many races will this car win this year? :D

Originally posted by ales
Now, how many races will this car win this year? :D

No doubt too many :mad:

Originally posted by RallyRaider


No doubt too many :mad:

lol

Why don't they ever give out the power ratings?

Why don't they ever give out the power ratings?

Sometimes they do, but are they real? It's a little game they seem to play, like not letting us see how many RPM's the BMW turned last year. As we've seen in the past, the most powerful engine doesn't always win, so it's kind of a mute point.:)

This thing looks dog slow, and unreliable too...

lol :D j/k

I always think when a new car is launched, well how are they going to improve this next time round, and those engineers always seem to pull it off. It's starting to have sidewings now... :eek: The rear end is flatter then an emptied packages of "West" cigarettes :finger:

Since they are not going to use it in the early stage of the championship, I guess there is still a lot of work to be done. Would be nice if Ferrari and Mclaren would start using they new machinery on the same race. ;)

I would laugh my ... out if Ferrari suddenly decided to run the whole season with F2002 and still got the championship :D Won't happen, but it doesn't change the fact that F2002 is still better that all the 2003 cars :p And as the GA is better than the last model, well, I am very very optimistic (knocks on wood).

Alex

My mind keeps going back to the USGP, September 2002, when Ferrari were letting the engine bay of the F2002 be photographed for the first time. Ferrari said it was because the new car had been prototyped and was completeley different, they were already that far ahead!:eek:

I know what it means like to be in such a luxurous position. ;) Remembering McLaren now at the end of the '80s. True it was different, but they were also dominating.

So let us enjoy it while it lasts!!!! :D:D:D:D :p

Ole! Ole Ole Ole!!! :silly:

Originally posted by ales
(knocks on wood).

So that's Ferrari's secret...

Originally posted by NSX


So that's Ferrari's secret...

yiehaa :jump:

lol :p

Originally posted by huudo


yiehaa :jump:

lol :p

So what now, you're planing to take all wood away from me? :p:p:p :silly:

Originally posted by ales


So what now, you're planing to take all wood away from me? :p:p:p :silly:

Not yours, Ferrari's wood. I'm off to Monza, San Marino, Fiorentino, Maranello or where ever they go, with my chainsaw... :finger: :devil:

hehe - ;)

There are reports that this thing broke the Fiorano lap record within the first few laps on the track!!!! :cool:, I'll tell more when I find out more information.

Alex

taken from Ferrari.com:


Maranello, 11th February

Circuit: Fiorano track, 2.976 km – short course 1.413 km
Driver: Michael Schumacher
Car: F2003-GA
Weather: air temperature 1/6/2 °C, track 0/8/4 °C. Sunny.

First day of testing of 2003 for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro at the Fiorano circuit. Today, Michael Schumacher was at the wheel for the track debut of the F2003-GA.

During the day, Schumacher completed a total of 78 laps, setting a best time of 57”045.

“Gianni Agnelli would have been happy with this car and this team,” said Michael at the end of the day. “Today, we achieved a very good result with great reliability. I am very happy with this first day of testing.”

Michael Schumacher continues testing at Fiorano tomorrow.


:hehe: :hehehe: :D :p

F2002 did 0'58''620 on its first outing. :spit:

If this means we are getting another season of domination... well I don't know what I'll do next then... :rolleyes:

Cry, Guido, cry! :cry: (you'll have a chance to say the same to me one day when McLaren get rid of DC and start dominatiing the championship again :o)

;)
Alex

Another Fiorono record broken, Schumi busted 57 seconds!:eek: :hehehe:

The F2003 continues to break record's at Fiorono, but some of it is attributed to new pavement on the track.:)

It's not really surprising that they have built the fastest Ferrari yet (I'd be really mad if they didn't!), but I'm impressed with how fast it is right out of the box. If the rumours are true, the first (or was it secod) flying lap of the GA was a record.

And the thing is also reliable! Barringtrhe little glitch, it has run close to perfectly. So if the FIA dont screw the series any more than they have by now ( :mad: ), we, Ferrari fans, should be in for a treat in 2003 :)

Sure thing. Ferrari seems to be miles ahead, still. They have so many new developments in the pipe-line, that they have the luxury to choose from which improvement they will adapt. I hope for the sport that McLaren's MP4-18 will be a Ferrari buster - no offence ;) - cause otherwise FIA will continue to rape F-1 even more for the so called sake of the show. Anyway, may the best win. :D

Originally posted by huudo
...Anyway, may the best win. :D

You mean, Let the wealthiest win?
lol:D

Originally posted by NSX


You mean, Let the wealthiest win?
lol:D

Toyota and Jaguar? ;)

Originally posted by ales


Toyota and Jaguar? ;)

hehe
Ferrari is still #1in spending?
Followed by Toyota, then McLaren?

What is the budget of Jaguar, relative to the other teams?

I think you'd find that Toyota have the biggest budget. And Jaguar are not far behind (at least according to some, others don't think Ford gives them an unlimited budget, but I do). The top 3 are also up there.

It's not just how much you spend, but the quality of engineers you employ.....you can spend millions but if your engineers are no good you're still building a shopping cart.....if you know what I mean :)
Ferrari's engineers are brilliant, but I am sure they get paid what they are worth too (and I'm not a Ferrari fan, but I am an engineer and respect their level of work)


Ray