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Achieving one of the best power-to-weight ratios, the F2002 weighs in at a lightweight 600 kilograms with engine, tires and all; while its 3.0-liter dual overhead cam, longitudinally-mounted 40-valve V10 pushes out more than 800 hp. The handmade engine is mated to a factory-designed 7-speed semi-automatic gearbox that give this car a 0-200 km/h time of just a trickle over 3 seconds—far quicker than any production road car or even motor bike in the world. The carbon-fiber composite chassis is all-new both in terms of design and construction, resulting in a significant weight reduction over the F2001 and even greater structural integrity and overall stiffness. Every little detail from the side pods, radiator ducting, exhaust and the rear part of the car went through painstaking hours in Ferrari’s own full-sized wind tunnel, to make sure that these components give the F2002 better cooling efficiency while increasing the overall aerodynamic performance. Moreover, Ferrari gave attention to detail that includes the optimization of the performance and consistency of the Bridgestone tires, which led the team to redesign the entire front and rear suspension system. According to Ferrari, even the so-called ‘round, black stuff’ was integrated well into the car’s design, making it an important part of the car’s aerodynamics package. Not all of the systems were improved from 2001. Because of new technical regulations introduced in 2002, the F2002 had to settle for a mechanically-operated power steering system that actually weighed more than the F2001’s electric-based system. While cornering performance and agility is important for Grand Prix drivers, there is little doubt that spectators want nothing less than to hear the high-revving scream of a Formula One V10 engine. The most audible aspect of any car’s performance, the engine is the main thing that sends chills down anyone’s spine. Though the Type 051 engine isn’t the most powerful on the grid, everyone agrees that it proved to be the most drivable and reliable of the bunch. Like its predecessors, the 051 engine is load bearing and mounted in longitudinally along with the transmission. Though made of several space age materials such as titanium, the Magnetti Marelli-fed 17,500-rpm engine must by regulation run on regular unleaded fuel. Ferrari’s technical partner, Shell provided all of the team’s fuel and lubrication needs. The engine oil in particular, was designed to take on extreme heat and stress inside the engine block—more than 8500 g and 300 degrees Celsius! Since 1998, the extremely hot exhaust of the Ferrari F1 machines has been vented out through huge vents high up in the car’s rear; this approach has been adopted by virtually the entire Formula One field. This special exhaust system enables the gases to flow onto the rear wing of the car, creating more downforce, which in turn pushes the car more onto the ground. Though the close to 800 hp engine is a virtual carryover of the 2001 specification engine, the novel semi-automatic gearbox spelled the difference for the team. Cast in titanium, the Ferrari-designed gearbox has seven sequential gears, which are hydraulically operated via steering-wheel mounted controls. The transmission and engine of the F2002 has been designed to be as lightweight and compact as possible without sacrificing reliability or durability—like walking on a knife’s edge—something that the Italian team’s rivals need more development with. |
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