JANUARY 16, 2002

What is so radical about the new Ferrari?

THERE has been a great deal of speculation of what Ferrari is up to this season and it is rumored that Michael Schumacher's recent test at Fiorano was to try out one of the new systems on the car.

Sources within Ferrari are talking about an integrated engine and gearbox unit which will help the team to lower the center of gravity and reduce weight. While this can be tested so that it is reliable for the start of the year there are likely to be questions about the practicality of such a system.

Modern F1 teams however have so many staff at races that this should not be a problem as changing an engine and changing a gearbox are both fairly rapid procedures these days.