Will the Marque`s newly designed 2012 Race Car help Fernando Alonso and Felipe Masa re-establish Ferrari Dominance? The initial specimen will be unveiled on 3rd February but we have a scoop that may reveal some clues prior to the big day.
Before we get to the technical possibilities, let us just remind ourselves of their performance over the last half a decade. Since Michael Schumacher left Ferrari in 2006, Finnish racing driver Kimmi Raikkonen appeared to be holding the side up very well - he won the world championship in 2007 and everything appeared to be going swimmingly. Then Lewis struck back in 2008 in his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes before fellow Brit stole the mantle in 2009 and also gave the Brawn GP team the constructors cup. Come 2010 Scumacher was back but driving for rival McLaren, though he fought hard it just wasn`t hard enough and Red Bull`s Vettle has been World Champion for the last two seasons. Last year Ferrari had plenty of aerodynamic issues and there were plenty of rumours that heads would roll (the 2011 model is pictured here). This year Ferrari may be taking the `If you can`t beat them, join them approach` to in fact beat them. You may be thinking you have seen Ferrari`s new sidepods somewhere before - on a McLaren maybe? These new items are likely to be more wing-like for better airflow. Red Bull are also tipped to be the source of inspiration as far as the pull-rod suspension and rear `hole` in the engine cover go. Other changes we hear are the high exiting exhausts and long, low and narrow radiators as well as the lower seating position for the drivers. The other spoiler we have is the name which may be F12 or F2012, apparently. The big news though is that the 2012 model is much more extreme and armed to whip the competition. Bring it on!
