news

F1: 2013 Ferrari Design To Hide ‘Step’

2013 Ferrari to hide 'step' in nose – report​ New Mercedes boss Wolff starts work on Monday Lotus says tech boss Allison not leaving Toro Rosso better than Sauber in some areas – Key Sainz jr moves even closer to F


  • 2013 Ferrari to hide 'step' in nose - report”‹
  • New Mercedes boss Wolff starts work on Monday
  • Lotus says tech boss Allison not leaving
  • Toro Rosso better than Sauber in some areas - Key
  • Sainz jr moves even closer to F1 future
  • Schumacher to race karts in 2013
  • Ecclestone banned from Twitter

2013 Ferrari to hide 'step' in nose - report

Ferrari will hide the 'step' in the nose of its 2013 car, it has emerged.

The FIA has allowed teams to install a "structurally irrelevant" laminate over the unseemly step for this year's cars, following the public's reaction to the dubious aesthetics of the 2012 field.

The 'modesty panel', however, is not mandatory, even though Valtteri Bottas revealed earlier this month that Williams will take advantage of the new rule for its 2013 car.

Now, a few days before the 2013 Ferrari appears officially, Spain's Marca reports that the latest Maranello-built creation also has a smooth nose section.

"Visually, there is no step on the nose, but the nose remains high to allow the airflow under the car," wrote correspondent Marco Canseco.

He added that the 2013 Ferrari's front and rear wings "may not be shown in detail" at the forthcoming car launch, "to avoid giving clues to its rivals".

The Marca report also said the new Ferrari will have smaller sidepods, front pull-rod suspension as per the 2012 car, and a Red Bull-style Coanda exhaust layout.

(GMM)

New Mercedes boss Wolff starts work on Monday

Mercedes' new recruit Toto Wolff has revealed he will be based at Brackley.

A new team shareholder and officially called executive director, 41-year-old Austrian Wolff is in essence replacing Norbert Haug, Mercedes' long-time motor sport vice-president.

"These are very large shoes to fill," he said in an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF.  "He (Haug) did a lot of things extremely well.

"It has not gone as expected last year and now we have to figure out what happened," said Wolff.  "But Norbert certainly was not working on the car.

"Anyway, I think it is important to be on site.  I hope I do a good job in England," he added.

Niki Lauda, the team's chairman, will also be in Brackley this week, but the triple world champion will not be based in the UK full-time.

Wolff explained: "It is important that there is someone on site who understands the English mentality."

Also still a Williams shareholder and co-owner of Mercedes' DTM company HWA, Wolff has bought 30 per cent of the Brackley based team.

"I would really like to say (how much he paid), but I have signed something that obliges me to secrecy," said Wolff.

"Niki and I are partners, we therefore carry some of the risk, which was important for Mercedes.  We have a big responsibility and I am very proud to own a company together with Mercedes -- how many people can say that?

"I am responsible for business operations and therefore Brackley, Niki is chairman of the company -- so the formula one team and the formula one engine company.

"He (Lauda) has no operational role, but he is of great help with his valuable contacts and know-how.

"Ross Brawn is responsible for the technical side," added Wolff.

(GMM)

Lotus says tech boss Allison not leaving

Lotus' James Allison is staying put.

That is the claim of an insider at the Enstone based team, despite admitting that Mercedes' Niki Lauda came calling for the highly rated British technical director.

Last week, as the Paddy Lowe saga unfolded, we reported that Allison had been earmarked by McLaren as a possible replacement, in case Lowe jumped ship.

MORE:Ferrari Showroom
MORE:Ferrari News
MORE:Ferrari Reviews
MORE:Search Used Ferrari Cars for Sale
MORE:Ferrari Showroom
MORE:Ferrari News
MORE:Ferrari Reviews
MORE:Search Used Ferrari Cars for Sale
Drive Team

The Drive Team brings you trusted, expert reviews of your next new car and is home to the best new car awards program in Australia.

Read more about Drive TeamLinkIcon
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent