FW26 has competitors scrambling to copy design

[dinan540i]

FW26's initial performance looks promising.

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/index.html

[dinan540i]

[mbmz3]

[caylan]

3/4 days fastest time by well over a second.

Only 2nd place day, it was 2nd to Hybrid FW25.

Ppl can argue about fuel loads & setup all they want in testing...but like any other team sports, hard & good practices usually produce positive results on game day...

ps Ferrari debut late Jan04

[steve.tenney]

allows them to build up a lot of confidence in the car and their ability to tune it's performance. Last year they were struggling taking much criticism going into Australia. This year should be different.

The times are not too indicative because it's impossible to know what everyone is doing.

[AndyO]

Ferrari to explore FW26's nose


A Ferrari spokesperson has revealed that the reigning World Champions are intending to have a look at the radical nose of the Williams FW26. And if it proves to give a team the edge, they may decide to copy it.

The new Williams’ FW26 chassis uses the twin-keel monocoque/suspension design. It features a shorter nose than its predecessor, the FW25, and has sweeping front wing supports that resemble tusks. The car has already demonstrated it’s pace, claiming P1 on four occasions at Jerez in the last seven days, despite it being the FW26’s maiden test session.

Because of this Ferrari now intend to examine the nose of the FW26 to see how much it really adds to a car’s performance. But, it won’t be the first time that the Scuderia have considered the idea.

A Ferrari spokesperson told The News Of The World: “'We investigated a similar concept a few years ago and at that time it didn't seem to offer anything to us. But now perhaps it is something we should look at again.”

[steve.tenney]

Ferarri release their new car on January 26. If they don't have a twin keel already done, they won't be able to make that kind of a change in that time frame. There's no advantage to the nose of the FW26 without the twin keel front.

[AEsco48]

illegal front wing (last years, 7% more downforce)





-AE


"Not all ///M owners are ///M Drivers" by: Enzo Ferrari, Adapted to ///M

R.I.P. Sabre....you will not be forgotten! 4/5/03
Miami, FL

[AndyO]

I think Ferrari was suprised and caught them with their pants down.

Problem last year was the Williams chasis couldn't hold the BMW Power and understeer, hopefully this design will provide more down force.

Jerez testing last week, the drivers were turning 1 second faster laps, which is pretty significant.

More downforce and reliable engine 2005 could be the year!!!! Fianally

[ezsce46]

[caylan]

[caylan]

[AndyO]

[///My5UV]

I never did see the f1.racing-live story you guys were talking about (must have scrolled off the front page before I saw the post), but here's an Autosport story hinting at Ferrari "copying" the BMW nose...
<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/pmiranda/TMCM_anim.gif">
02 LeMansBlue/Silverstone M5
98 EstorilBlue/Grey M3