F2008 Launch
FERRARI F2008 LAUNCH - MARIO ALMONDO, ALDO COSTA AND GILLES SIMON Mario Almondo, Director of Operations, Aldo Costa, Technical Director, and Gilles Simon, Head of the Engines and Electronics Department, presented the latest modifications of the F2008, which will be used during the season 2008, to the international press.
When Aldo Costa was asked, what the main characteristics of the new single-seater from Maranello are, the Technical Director said: "For the F2007 we mainly worked on the aerodynamics, which are completely different to the ones from the season 2007, but there are still some elements which are identical to the F2007. All the aerodynamic surfaces have been completely updated. The body is more concave, the engine cover has a different profile to improve the efficiency and resolve some problems we had on circuits such as Monte Carlo, Hungary and Canada.
"We've also done some major work on the electronics and the control systems. This year we have to use an integrated central system and an MES (Mechanics and Electronics System). Thus we had to review the electronic layout of the car and try to figure it out without any help from the drivers, such as the traction control and some other controls. We've been working a lot on the gearbox, which has to be used for four races in a row this year. We changed the dimension to improve its lifetime; but we've worked also on the suspension, to improve the lifetime of the whole car."
Gilles Simon spoke about the unification of the engine and electronics management: "This new organisation is already looking ahead to the year 2009, when we will develop a kinetic system to reuse the energy produced by the car. This will take up a lot of our time this year. To combine the two departments is an obvious thing to do. We will do many test sessions inside and outside of the works. This is already the second year that we are not allowed to further develop the engines. From March 2008 on the engine will be completed and approved. What we have actually done is concentrated our work on everything that is sitting above the cylinders; such as the inlets and also on the improvement of the lubrification. We also developed a new kind of fuel over the last winter in collaboration with Shell. The rules of 2008 set a limit of 5.75% of bi-components in the fuel. We'll use the biofuel already at the tests in Jerez next week.
Mario Almondo explained the organization of the Director of Operations: "Well, in the world of High-Tech my role is quite traditional. At Ferrari that means working on technical things, which are not part of the planning, such as logistics and strategic planning of works and investments, managing the race tracks and the buying, technical, technological and quantitative development of our partners. And then there's the management of the A1 GP, which will start with a collaboration by Ferrari in the next year. For us the start of this Championship is a great business opportunity and the possibility to consolidate our brand in the Far East."
As far as the Formula One car and the performance level of the F2008 is concerned Costa said: "The evolution of the aerodynamics is excellent. The team has done some fantastic work, although it is the fourth year in terms of stability of the rules in that sense. Nevertheless we managed to have further progress. Without judging the others I have to say that our car has many hidden features, which we hope will pay in terms of reliability and performance."
A journalist asked if there will be a further improvement to the seamless-technology in 2008 as far as the gearbox is concerned; which might be a kind of advantage for those who are responsible for the hardware and know the code; Costa replied: "We don't want to slow down, we want to keep up our performance level of 2007; we want to further develop the seamless system. We have to produce a gearbox, which will last for four races, while we have to reduce its weight and its dimensions. Changing gear will thus depend now more on the drivers."
Mario Almondo was asked how many improvements of the F2008 are foreseen for now: "In 2007 we had four major developments of the car and many minor developments for each race according to the different race tracks. Simulation and the wind tunnel are very important here, but also the tests in the works play an important role. From the first GP on we try to keep a straight line in terms of development, to eliminate all the problems caused by the single circuits."
FERRARI F2008 LAUNCH - KIMI RAIKKONEN At the conference room of the Fiorano race track Kimi Raikkonen this afternoon met the accredited journalists at the presentation of the F2008. They immediately asked him about things, which will be of huge importance, when the new season starts in Australia next March. Asked about his expectations for 2008 Kimi said: "We will definitely try to win the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship again. We have to see how the test sessions and the first Grands Prix of the season will go. The most dangerous competitors? McLaren will be there for sure. And then there's BMW. It will be a difficult year. It's my second year at Ferrari. I can feel that everything is going really well. I know the people I am working with and I really like the team."
There is a new car and the rules have changed a lot compared to the last season. What are his impressions behind the wheel of the new car and as far as the new rules are concerned? "We have already tested the new system before Christmas. There is no traction control anymore. And we have to adapt to this fact, which is quite something. There are also other control systems missing, which we were still using during the last year. But we are really satisfied with the new car and its modifications. The cockpit of the F2008 is tighter and also the car is smaller. We have to be ready for these changes."
As far as the competition is concerned, Kimi said that there could be major changes compared to the year 2007, when Ferrari and McLaren were ahead, as there are many teams with improved single-seaters this year. In the first races of 2008 one will see what surprises there may be.
Kimi was also asked if he might modify his driving style, because there is no traction control in the car anymore, which is especially important when coming out of the corners. Kimi said: "Without a doubt I'll become better. Because now I know what the team wants from me. But as long as you're not racing, you don't know what will happen."
As far as the personal security is concerned, after Kimi won his first World Championship title, he said: "I am not feeling too safe. I have waited for this moment for many years. Maybe this year will not be too difficult to get along. But I do not feel too safe. If I'll have more fun without the traction control? It will be much more complex to drive, that's for sure. Especially on wet tracks. But it will be also much more fun."
A journalist asked the Finnish driver what he expects from the future and from the upcoming season: "That's quite difficult to tell now. I have still two years left and if I go on having fun, I'll stay here. I really like Formula One and I have a brilliant team. We'll see. We want to start really well into a great season. We want to win again the world titles and we want to avoid retirements. This is the main feature to win against McLaren. That is how it was and that is how it will be in the future."
FERRARI F2008 LAUNCH - FELIPE MASSA "Seeing the car for the first time is like welcoming a boy in a family. It is important to work to make him grow in the best way." These were the first words of Felipe Massa when he met the journalists, together with his team mate Kimi Raikkonen, at the presentation of the new single-seater. "The first impression of the car is that it is really beautiful. Just like every other Ferrari. But that is not enough. The looks are important, but the performance and the reliability are even more important. The team has to work to make the car immediately fast and reliable. We have to do some more work on it before the first race and we want to check its performance before we make any further comments."
As far as the different driving style caused by the missing traction control is concerned Massa said: "It really is different now. You have to take care of the accelerator; even more than of the brakes. The driving style has to be softer and less aggressive. To the question of how much it weighs on him that Kimi has number 1 on his car, Felipe replied: "The number doesn't change anything. The most important thing is what we reach by the end of the year. 2007 was really great. I won races, but I also had some problems, which cost me some precious points. We have to learn from that and try to win again. I am really motivated; the team is absolutely fantastic. I'm married now and I turned into a man and I am more serious now. I am ready to fight. More than ever."
As far as the new rules are concerned and because he already has experience with cars without traction control in other racing series Massa said: "I don't think that this will be an advantage. Although many things changed. Also the revs have a certain influence. The V8 is more aggressive and difficult than the V10. When you are driving under these conditions you want more stability and grip and you try to drive more aggressively and closer to the limit."
"When there's less grip you can use the tyres much better. That is really important, as there is no traction control anymore." As far as the new qualifying rules are concerned Felipe said: "To be honest I think that absolutely nothing will change here; we won't have 3-4 laps to use the old tyres. We'll start with new sets of tyres and with the right amount of fuel to get the right lap time. Almost nothing will change for me here."
Felipe confirmed that: "Jean Todt is still there and he will participate in many important events. There's Stefano now, who has a very important role after many years he has been working here. I am happy for him and I hope that the team will be as it always was. After all it is the mentality that is important and that it remains as it is."
And the incorrect things in 2007? "That has been some kind of school for me; to teach me that these kind of situations should never ever happen again for any team and the Championship. We all have to work bearing in mind that this sport is based on rules, which we all have to follow."
Source: Scuderia Ferrari
Ferrari presents its 2008 Formula One car, bearing the No. 1
 FIORANO, Italy - Ferrari presented its 2008 Formula One car Sunday, highlighting a series of technical changes and the return of the No. 1 on the red model's nose.
Kimi Raikkonen earned Ferrari its first driver's championship last season since Michael Schumacher accomplished the feat five consecutive times from 2000 to '04. It was the squad's first constructor's title since 2004.
Ferrari is calling the car the F2008. It is the 54th car the Maranello outfit has built for F1.
It features a new electronic system called SECU (Standard Electronic Control Unit) that is the same for all F1 teams this season.
Other new details include a revamped transmission, which must be used for four consecutive races, and more safety features, including lateral guards near the drivers' helmets.
According to new rules for materials, the car is heavier than last year's edition, weighing in at 605 kilograms, including water, oil and the driver.
There is also a complete overhaul in aerodynamics, although Ferrari said more changes will be put in place before the first race in Australia in March.
Raikkonen is scheduled to test the F2008 for the first time on Ferrari's home track in Fiorano on Monday. The team then heads to Madonna Di Campiglio in the Italian Dolomites for the squad's annual winter retreat.
Source: Canadian Press
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Monday, 07 January 2008 
FIORANO, Italy - Kimi Raikkonen tested Ferrari's 2008 car for the first time Monday under the watchful eyes of seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.
