Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
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Constructor | Scuderia Ferrari | ||||||||||
Designer(s) |
Pat Fry (Technical Director) Nicholas Tombazis (Chief Designer) |
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Predecessor | Ferrari 150° Italia | ||||||||||
Successor | Ferrari F138 | ||||||||||
Technical specifications | |||||||||||
Chassis | carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque | ||||||||||
Suspension (front) | Independent suspension, pullrod activated torsion springs | ||||||||||
Suspension (rear) | as front | ||||||||||
Engine | Ferrari Type 056 2,398 cc (146 cu in) V8 (90°) Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS, mid-mounted | ||||||||||
Transmission | Ferrari 7 speeds + reverse Semi-automatic sequential, electronically controlled, longitudinal gearbox, quick-shift Limited-slip differential | ||||||||||
Weight | 640 kg (1,411.0 lb) (including driver, water and lubricant) | ||||||||||
Fuel |
Shell V-Power ULG 66L/2 Fuel Shell Helix Ultra Lubricant |
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Tyres |
Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet) OZ Wheels (front and rear): 13" |
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Competition history | |||||||||||
Notable entrants | Scuderia Ferrari | ||||||||||
Notable drivers | 5. Fernando Alonso 6. Felipe Massa |
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Debut | 2012 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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The Ferrari F2012 is a Formula One racing car designed by Scuderia Ferrari for the 2012 Formula One season. The car was launched on 3 February at Ferrari's facility in Maranello. The car, which was driven by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, made its debut at the first pre-season test at Jerez.
Like most 2012-specification cars, the F2012 featured a 'stepped nose' to conform to new FIA safety regulations. The F2012 featured a pullrod front suspension, which had not been seen in Formula One since the 2001 Minardi PS01 and Arrows A22 cars. A pullrod rear suspension was also introduced. L-shaped inlets also feature on the sidepods as the Ferrari F10 did in 2010.
It was reported that Ferrari had developed a "reactive ride height" suspension system, a mechanical device designed to maintain ride height under braking which they hoped to use in their 2012 car. The FIA ruled that devices contravene the regulations as they could improve the aerodynamic performance of cars, which led to the device being banned.
During pre-season testing journalists reported several reports of problems with the car's handling. It understeered travelling into the curve and oversteered as the car came out of the curve.Felipe Massa reported that the team needed to carry out substantial work in order to understand the car. Ferrari denied that the car was under-performing, but during the Australian Grand Prix both Alonso and Massa went off the track after struggling with the handling, and could only qualify 12th and 16th respectively. Alonso finished the race fifth, while Massa retired after a collision with Williams driver Bruno Senna.
In the week before the Malaysian Grand Prix, Ferrari took the extraordinary step of preparing a brand-new chassis for Massa. Unable to explain the difference between Alonso and Massa's performances in Melbourne, the team prepared the chassis for Massa in the belief that the car he used in Australia was flawed.