Scuderia Ferrari

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Lore & Background

The Ferrari F2007 was unveiled on January 14, 2007 at Ferrari's Fiorano test track in Maranello, Italy. As part of new FIA rules for the 2008 season which included banning driver aids via the introduction of a standard ECU for all teams, the F2007 was the last Ferrari Formula One car to use traction control. The chassis was significantly altered from the 248 F1, the car Ferrari used during 2006 to finish as runners-up to Renault in the Constructors' Championship. The wheelbase was 85mm longer, from 3050mm to 3135mm, with the extra length added between the cockpit and front wheels to maximize aerodynamic performance. The launch model was shown with the front and rear wings from the 248 F1 to keep various aerodynamic features secret from rival F1 teams. The gearbox, mounted longitudinally, was fitted with an innovative quick-shift system (seven plus reverse). The suspension adopted a zero-keel configuration, a first for Ferrari, likely due to the departure of previous designer Rory Byrne.

In Their Own Story

At the Monaco Grand Prix, Ferrari changed the colour of their cars from Rosso Scuderia (light red) to Nuovo Rosso Scuderia (a darker shade), and kept it for the remainder of the season. An attempted sabotage of the car's fuel system was made prior to the Monaco Grand Prix by then Ferrari Head of Performance Development Nigel Stepney. Stepney, then a senior engineer at Ferrari, was involved in the 2007 Formula One espionage controversy with McLaren engineer Mike Coughlan, and was dismissed as a result of this incident. McLaren made a formal allegation that the Ferrari F2007 that won at the Australian Grand Prix had done so with illegal features discovered through the contact with Stepney. The 2007 season was the first in which the use of two different rubber compounds was required during a race. Ferrari were the only team to receive tobacco sponsorship for the 2007 season, with principal sponsor Philip Morris International. The car's livery did not feature the brand name at European Grands Prix, using a simple red and white 'barcode' instead. Ferrari used 'Marlboro' logos in Bahrain, Monaco and China; the Chinese race was the last where cigarette advertising was openly displayed on a Formula One car.

Reader's Guide

The Ferrari F2007 was driven by Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen, racing with numbers 5 and 6 respectively as the team finished second in the 2006 Constructors' Championship. Ordinarily this would mean numbers 3 and 4, but because World Champion Fernando Alonso changed teams to McLaren, Renault received those numbers as Alonso took his number 1 to his new team. Martini returned for the second year with the team, though the logo was blocked out in France due to alcohol advertising being outlawed there. The Ferrari F2007 is featured in the games Gran Turismo 5, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Gran Turismo PSP, Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends, F1 2017, F1 2018, F1 2019 and F1 2020.

Did You Know?

• The F2007 was the fifty-third single-seater car built by Ferrari for Formula One.
• The wheelbase was extended by 85mm compared to the 248 F1, from 3050mm to 3135mm.
• The F2007 was the last Ferrari Formula One car to use traction control, due to new FIA rules for 2008 banning driver aids.
• An attempted sabotage of the car's fuel system occurred before the Monaco Grand Prix by Ferrari Head of Performance Development Nigel Stepney.
• The Chinese Grand Prix was the last race where cigarette advertising was openly displayed on a Formula One car, via Ferrari's Marlboro sponsorship.