Ferrari relieved radical chassis design passes crash test

[John S]

The boys at Marrenello are planning to pull a rabbit out of the hat then. I wonder just how extreme the 2011 Ferrari car is going to be?

Ferrari's 2011 chassis has passed a sequence of crucial crash tests, according to Italian media reports. The mandatory monocoque tests reportedly took place under FIA guidelines and in the presence of an official observer at the CSI technical facility in Bollate, near Milan. The reports cited rumours that the outcome of the tests was a relief to Ferrari's Aldo Costa-led design team, due to fundamental differences between the F10 and its successor.

A key difference, said the reports, is in the new monocoque's actual construction and composite materials, which are more extreme for 2011. Ferrari's crash test chief Davide Terletti reportedly investigated a crack that opened on the surface of the monocoque, but the detail was not enough to cause the chassis to fail the tests.

The reports said other parts of the 2011 car will be crash tested shortly.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd. Today.

[Jericoke]

A key difference, said the reports, is in the new monocoque's actual construction and composite materials, which are more extreme for 2011. Ferrari's crash test chief Davide Terletti reportedly investigated a crack that opened on the surface of the monocoque, but the detail was not enough to cause the chassis to fail the tests.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd. Today.

Um... aside from construction and material, what other differences are there?  Colour? 

I've noticed that 'radical' designs tend not to fare well in F1 (MP4-18, Williams 'Tusk' nose)... it's usually the designs that push the limits of rules (double deck diffusers, f-ducts) that make the difference.

As for the crack... I'm sure that doesn't bring much confidence to Massa.  (I'm pretty sure Alonso doesn't care:  the car is designed for him, after all.)

[lkjohnson1950]

Since KERS will probably add more weight to the car than the rules increase accomodates, the Ferrari "radical" tub is probably designed to reduce weight allowing for ballast.

Lonny