Kimi "ICEMAN" Raikkonen - Formula 1 Champion: January 2009

January ,12th Mugello

Well lets start with the most important breaking news of the new year . Ferrari launched the new Ferrar F60 which will be their contender for the 2009 season , they were the first to unveil their car . The F60 debut was at Mugello's track in Italy . Of course we were expecting the car to be named F2009 as it was the trend with the F2008 and other Ferrari F1 versions , but this year is different as the F60 is a celebration of the existence of Ferrari in the Formula 1 business for the last 60 years .

As to comply to the new F1 regulations this year , we can notice the change in the new F60 , as it features a wider front and narrower and relatively higher rear wing . The new car features Ferrari's Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which has been developed in conjunction with electronics supplier Magneti Marelli. It is mounted on the engine - although the team has not yet confirmed whether the device will be used for the first race.

Some people judged the new F60 to no complying with the regualtions and the exhaust pipes were not covered as we can see near the cars rear . But Ferrari later fixed this problem.

From : Autosport.com

"As you can see the car is not an evolution of last year's car," said technical director Aldo Costa.

"It's a completely new car, starting from a white piece of paper. Fundamentally the biggest changes come from the new rules from an aerodynamic point of view and the introduction of new technology, which is the KERS system.

"Because of that we had to start work pretty early and to review the main concept of the car, so it was a very very intense and long job."

The F60 features a longitudinally-mounted carbon fibre-cased gearbox and has a new Brembo designed braking system.

Specifications of the F60

Chassis

Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Ferrari longitudinal garbo Limited-slip differential Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled garbo - quick shift
Number of gears 7 + Reverse
Brembo ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes
Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
Weight (with water, lubricant and driver) 605 kg
BBS Wheels (front and rear) 13"
Kinetic energy recovery system by Ferrari in cooperation with Magneti Marelli

Engine

Type 056
Number of cylinders 8
Cylinder block in cast aluminium V 90°
Number of valves 32
Pneumatic distribution
Total displacement 2398 cm3
Piston bore 98 mm
Weight > 95 kg
Magneti Marelli digital electronic injection
Magneti Marelli static electronic ignition
Fuel Shell V-Power ULG-66L/2
Lubricant Shell

F60 Launch Ceremony

A short video of the launching ceremony

Track Debut

Massa was scheduled to run the car for the first time in Mugello later that day , he had a good impression of the car , and it rain without problems , and we go below with a video of the first lap with Fellipe .