Ferrari's 248 F1 V8 Engine Analysis

Dale Calkins

Impressions and insight into the V8 engine for Ferrari's brand new 248 F1. Ferrari's Engine Director Paolo Martinelli gives his thoughts on what is different about the V8 as opposed to the V10 and what lies in store for Ferrari in 2006.

"It is a totally new. It is a return to the past, as the name of the car demonstrates. We started working on this engine midway through 2004 and then tested it on the bench. Last August it made its first outing, at Fiorano, and in the autumn of 2005 we completed the V8. Now we are close to the final version. Obviously, in the course of the season we will have to cope with a very steep learning curve."

"The rules outline global constraints but do allow a lot of space for projectual experimentation," continued Martinelli. "The 90° angle was our choice as was settling on the minimum weight for the non-moving parts. The real challenge, however, was lightening the weight of the moving components.

For the first time in ten years a drop in performance was recorded and this was fundamental. The change in power meant some greater investment, but in the long run, it will be more economical. The overall output of the engine remains unchanged and so some factors were the same as on the V10."

More to come on the 248 very soon.

January 24, 2006

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