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FormulaNerds had the privilege of an extended tour of the Ferrari enclosure at Goodwood, learning the secrets of the famous red cars.Â?
Attempting to enter the enclosure from the front would not be possible due to the size of the crowds already gathered. Walking around the back, we were taken into the tent from the rear and greeted by classic Ferrari cars, icons of history. The guide for our history tour is Phillipo, one of the heritage mechanics.
The tent is already a hive of anticipation. Mechanics give out Ferrari flags to those at the front of the queue to see the scarlet cars. The cars themselves have not long been assembled, and finishing touches are still needed on several.
2007 F2007
We start our tour in front of the F2007, the most recent Ferrari car, to take both world titles. Kimi Raikkonen won the 2007 drivers’ title by a single point in one of F1’s most dramatic seasons. Phillipo explained the technical background of the car, comparing it to its modern counterparts. The differences are astonishing:
“The big difference is that this is a standard V8 engine. A non-hybrid car. While the the modern car is a V6 with the hybrid. Then obviously… the bigger differences in terms of weight: this car is around 600 kilos, a modern car is 850/900 kilos.
“Also, one of the difference between these old old cars and a modern one is the fact that has been done very big step in terms of safety on the car. So the modern chassis is more stiff, there is a little bit more room for the driver.”
On brand colours
Even the colour of the car changed during the season. We were given a lesson in how the famous red livery needs to be preserved whilst out on track to avoid confusion:
“The particular colour of this car, which is not exactly this one, was one we used for a part of the season. We used the colour, which was a type of layer colour, which was a more metallic dark red.
“But that was pretty hard to replicate, the same exact colour. At some stage, they decide to change it because otherwise, if you don’t paint the old car at the same moment and in two different shots, you get two different colours.
“So if you change one nose from one car to the other, you will see the difference in colour. So as some stage that decided to stop this colour, as was too complicated.”
Aerodynamics reset
Of course, we could not talk about the 2007 cars without addressing the number of aerodynamic parts sprouting off them. The F2007 is covered in intricate winglets and other parts designed to promote aero flow over the car. Phillipo explained the purpose and impact of these:
“This was the last year with all these winglets, fences, boards, and so on was 2008. After 2008, the level of downforce of this car is comparable to a modern car, which, I mean, has got 15 years more of development.
But then, because it was really, to match the level of downforce of this car. They decided at some stage to take everything off. So in 2009, it’s been completely clean.”
Like, all teams, Ferrari had to adapt to this new era of clean aero that F1 chose for 2009. Phillipo gave insight into the extensive preparations that went into a regulation change of the magnitude of 2009. The rules overhaul was the biggest for a generation and changed the competitive order of the sport:
“Because it’s a huge regulation change, you have to start very early normally when there is such a big change in terms of the rules, you know, at least two to three years before.
“This is an agreement between FIA and the teams, when there is a biggest in as it happens still today when there is a bigger step into the rules with the big change, you have to know with big advance because you need to develop the car and take your time to get all of the car.”
2018 SF17H
We then stopped at the car dominating the enclosure, the SF17H. Driven by Sebastian Vettel in 2018. The size of this car shows the substantial difference in car design F1 has seen develop.
The SF17H dwarves the other cars on display and is an impressive piece of F1 history. Vettel and Ferrari finished runners-up to Mercedes in 2018, and the car’s secrets showcase how this was achieved. Phillipo laid out the difference in size and gave us an insight into modern F1 car design:
“If you push back the tyres to the same level (to the F2007), I mean the tip of the nose, probably one metre. So it’s very different. But things happen day by day with the research developments.
“You simulate what happens in the wind tunnel because also the rule says that you are limited to the wind tunnel hours. So you do it virtually what you did normally, will do in the wind tunnel now.
“There is daily research on any single detail of what you can modify to get some downforce out from any single detail because the rules are very restrictive.
“They tell you that in some areas, you cannot have any part of the bodywork [to modify], so you have to play with the area where you can add it. “That’s why in let’s say small volume you see many wings and winglets, to try to to get some downforce.”
Aero evolution
Phillipo explained the designs behind the wings and other parts of the car compared to modern cars. Guiding us around the car, hearing about this process was a fascinating conversation:
“Something that you notice is a very big difference is the front wing. Because small flaps are everywhere, you try to guide the airflow in any single portion of the car.
“One of the things you have to know is that in a Formula One car, one of the most efficient parts of the car is the diffuser at the bottom of the car. Because you get out of it downforce, but you don’t pay with drag. So one of the big research that you do in terms of aerodynamics is to try to make the floor work at the best.
“So you do anything you can to get out of from the floor, the maximum downforce because it’s free of drag, while anything else you do, you pay with some drag, you get some more downforce, but you play with drag. The difference in these wings is massive.
“So the cost of the part (front wings) is probably three times the cost of the other one (F2007). There’s a million pieces. You see the bonding to get these are separate parts bonded together. It’s all in the individual features, built one by one.”
2001 F2001
We then moved over to another icon of F1, the F2001. This car took Michael Schumacher to his fourth world title in dominant style in 2001, taking nine wins in 16 races.
Compared to the other cars on display, the F2001, while beautiful, has a visibly more simplistic design. This car came from an era when aerodynamic development had begun to flourish, and its clean lines reflect this.
This car led to the all-dominant seasons of 2002 and 2004. It holds a special place in the hearts of the Ferrari mechanics, with Phillipo no exception. He explained the details behind the car, including its technical intricacies:
“For sure, it was the start of The first years of, you know, a good time that Ferrari had the Schumacher days. This one is one of the projects of Rory Bryne, the designer who still works well for Ferrari. Not full-time, but he’s still with us.
“If you compare 2000,2001 and 2002, I mean it’s only details, you see that is the evolution of the previous year’s car.
“The front wings are very simple, very simple. If you jump back, two or three years was just flat. Then, they started to bend a little bit in the bottom. to go to catch some downforce on the central part. And then, if you see, the 2007 is very low on the, on the ground, the middle part.
“That has been banded to be solo. So they have to come back a little bit higher. So but then it starts to, you know, twist the flaps have more more elements from the flap on the front wing and the rear wing.
“Here, also, the rear wheels profile on the bottom, the double profile here and then extra flap here. This was not also always used. There were different configurations for the wings; this was added only when you need more downforce, for example, in Monza.”
The eternal allure of Ferrari
At that point, we sadly had to wrap up our tour as the day was drawing to a close. These magnificent cars needed to be put to bed ahead of more crowds arriving the next day.
Ferrari is a brand that drives emotion. Even when stationary, one can not feel a sense of awe and wonder at the sight of these special scarlet cars. Watching them take to Goodwood Hill across the weekend wowed spectators.
The Scuderia is the oldest F1 team on the grid. Twenty minutes inside its enclosure at Goodwood demonstrated why. Those who work for Ferrari are passionate and completely devoted to the prancing horse. It was a privilege to be allowed private access to these icons of F1 history and hear their stories.
Feature Image Credit: FormulaNerds via James PhillipsÂ?