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Scuderia
Ferrari's brand new 2.4-litre V8 engine - designed for the
new 2006 F1 regulations - took to the track for the first
time at Fiorano yesterday.
In the hands of
their Spanish test driver Marc Gene the brand new engine -
fitted to one of last year's F2004 chassis - completed 38
laps of the Scuderia's private test track, 8 of these being
run on the 'short' circuit. Gene posted a best lap time of
59.966 - just under four seconds off the record - as the
test progamme for the 2006 season starts to move up a gear.
It was also the
first day of testing for the Ferrari team this week, and the first
appearance on track since Luca Badoer wrapped up a four day
session at Monza last Thursday. With Ferrari opting not to
sign up to a reduction in testing, they have an intensive
summer schedule planned, and testing at Fiorano will
continue today.
For next year's
Grand Prix season FIA President Max Moseley has proposed a
that a 2.4-litre V8 engine formula will replace the current
3.0-litre V10 units, as he seeks to cut both speeds and
costs, and make the racing more exciting for the spectators.
The new engine rules are designed to complement a whole host
of other changes that have been recently imposed on F1 which
include a sweeping change to the qualifying format, a
reduction of the chassis' downforce, and the banning of pit
stops to change tyres during the race, except for when
required in instances of safety.
Ferrari's new V8
engine development programme is reportedly more than a month
ahead of schedule, with a track debut having been initially
pencilled in for early September. Ferrari have already
extensively bench tested the brand new V8 unit, and have
also recently tested a current V10 powerplant - with two of
its cylinders isolated - on track at both Fiorano and
Mugello - to simulate the new engine's characteristics. |
