Ferrari F1 Concept Car

[JulesMaximus]

http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/17/8051289/ferrari-f1-formula-one-concept-car

Ferrari's Formula One design team just launched a site for a radical concept car that looks unlike anything F1 has ever put on the track. The two views of the design, front and back, should give fans something to both drool and argue over until the first race of the season next month in Australia.

2014 wasn't a banner year for Formula One racing. Ratings were down as fans were up in arms over the move from V8 to V6 engines and controversial changes to the cars' nose design — all while the brand new all-electric series Formula E saw a successful debut.

Perhaps it's a move meant to reclaim some favor from that slighted fanbase. The design could also be Ferrari's way of nudging the sport's directors as the league again stands on the precipice of change. While F1 is about to kick off the 2015 season, it is also nearing a vote on regulation changes for the 2016 season and beyond. Those could include anything from increasing the power of the engines to making the cars and tires wider. Maybe Ferrari's concept is a signpost of a radical new design direction.


While some comparisons could be drawn to the F1 cars of the mid-to-late 1970s, the concept design resembles the look of another flailing motorsport: IndyCar. The F1 concept sports a similar design to the chassis that IndyCar debuted a few years ago with its wide wheel base, low rear wing, and body paneling that runs almost flush to the rear wheels. (It's worth noting that IndyCar also just unveiled slight changes to this look for the 2015 season.)

There are some wholly unique features, though. For one, the driver's helmet appears to connect right to the body of the car. Then there's the two-tiered nose and nose wing, which evokes the image of predator about to swallow its prey. And at the rear, the safety light sits in the center of a Batmobile-like oval.


Whatever Formula One decides to do about the look of its cars in 2016, it's unlikely that Ferrari's design will ever make it to the track as we see it here now. But it's a fun starting point that lets us imagine what another round of changes could do to the look of the fastest motorsport on Earth.

I think it looks pretty cool. Of course, it will probably never see a race track anywhere.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Looks good but eh, I don't hate this year's cars. I wouldn't mind a radical shakeup of the design in F1, but it doesn't seem that necessary. It does look more cohesive but since it's just an artist rendition it has some aspects that look more clean than they would for real (like the driver's helmet). Also, at that point a closed cockpit makes more sense. Kinda looks like an in between the Red Bull concept from Gran Turismo and current F1 cars.

I'm ignoring the Verge's take on things since, well it's the Verge, and also WTF comparing it to mid-late 70s F1 is just...no idea what they're thinking with that.

Supposedly there's a movement within F1 to push power up to ~1000hp (I believe last years cars were making 600-700hp with the KERS or whatever they call it upping that to the mid 800s range?).

Also, holy $#!^ at the new Indy aero setup, that looks fugly. I preferred the other design they were voting on back when they were doing that, and slapping wings (wings on wings) all over this one just looks silly. The other design looked a lot more aesthetically pleasing for non-oval tracks.

 

[merlion]

Red Bull had this response.

 

[manimal]

I bet Ferrarri could make money on a customer order able indy car since the regs are so tight.

Ferrari in indy would be a boon to both brands.


Wish they would open up regs in F1 even more so we could see nissan come in with a one liter in a wing and fuck everyone up. I would love to see a re imagining of the 70s six wheel cars as well. Lets see some innovation!

 

[foghorn67]

The Verge on motorsports? lol.

 

[NoTine42]

I'm more of an Indy 500 fan than any other race, but I think the newer cars look stupid. It's open wheel racing. All 4 wheels should be easily seen from most front profile shots.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The Verge on motorsports? lol.

What the hell is the verge? It was linked through Google news.

ESPN picked up the story too if you don't like the site I linked.

http://en.espnf1.com/

Autosport also has a story about it.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117711

 

[foghorn67]

What the hell is the verge? It was linked through Google news.

ESPN picked up the story too if you don't like the site I linked.

http://en.espnf1.com/

Autosport also has a story about it.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117711

Not questioning the validity of the story. It's all over the motorsports news.
Anyway, it's the comments the writer's little snide comments that make me lol.

 

[boomhower]

I like the concept but F1 isn't inherently broken but the engine regs need loosened up a bit. At this point no one really has a chance to catch up. Kudos to them for kicking tale but to have the regs set up to where no one else can catch up for years is going to kill the sport. This year is going to be the same as last, Lewis and Nico fighting over the championship. May as well go ahead and start etching Lewis' name on it. I really like Nico but over the course of a season he can't keep up with Lewis.