First Look at Ferrari SF21 for the 2021 F1 Season

Photo credit: © FOTO COLOMBO IMAGES / ORAZIO TRUGLIO

From Autoweek

Well, it looks fast.

Ferrari, hoping to rebound from its worst Formula 1 season in 40 years, took the wraps off its 2021 car on Wednesday. The SF21, which is the franchise’s 67th built in Maranello, Italy, for Formula 1, features a conservative, no-nonsense livery.

The car uses the same carbon fiber chassis as in 2020. Engine, aerodynamics, and the rear end is where the team made modifications for 2021, as F1 teams brace for new specs in 2021.

“When we began the SF21 project, our first task was to identify which area of the car we should focus on in order to achieve a radical change,” said Enrico Cardile, Ferrari’s head of chassis. “We opted for the rear end, designing a new gearbox and new suspension system. This, in addition to the efforts of our power unit colleagues has led to a much tighter rear end.

“We also looked at the cooling system, increasing the effectiveness of the central radiator and designed the body with more ‘downwashing.’ Aerodynamics was one of the areas affected by the regulation changes aimed at reducing the ability to generate vertical load, in order not to put too great a strain on the tires. That’s why, as we began developing the car’s aerodynamics, we set ourselves two goals: recovering more aerodynamic downforce than was lost through the regulations and reducing drag.

Photo credit: © FOTO COLOMBO IMAGES / ORAZIO TRUGLIO

“Because of the regulations, less drastic changes were possible at the front end of the car. So, we developed a new front wing which works in conjunction with a new concept nose, but the chassis itself and the suspension is off last year’s SF1000.”

The team will have a new driver lineup this year, as former McLaren driver Carlos Sainz joins holdover Charles Leclerc. Veteran Sebastian Vettel is now at Aston Martin (formerly Racing Point).

“There’s plenty of positive energy coming from our two drivers,” said Ferrari racing director Laurent Mekies. “Carlos has spent a lot of time in the factory and has integrated with the team very quickly.

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“As for Charles, he is already perfectly at home with the team: he knows what he wants and is also very aware of the role he has in the team, both in and out of the car. Over the winter, we have witnessed the two guys getting on very well together and this can only be a good thing for the whole team.”

Photo credit: © FOTO COLOMBO IMAGES / ORAZIO TRUGLIO

The car is expected to make its on-track debut during the team’s filming day in Bahrain on March 11. Teams are allowed up to 100 km of on-track testing during these days. The season opens March 28 in Bahrain.

Technical specifications Ferrari SF21

Power unit 065/6

Capacity 1600 cc

Max RPM 15,000

Supercharging Single turbo

Fuel flow 100 kg/hr max

Configuration V6 90°

Bore 80 mm

Stroke 53 mm

Valves 4 per cylinder

Injection 500 bar – direct

ERS System

Configuration Hybrid energy recovery system via electrical Motor Generator Units

Battery pack Lithium-Ion batteries of minimum 20 kg weight

Battery pack max energy storage 4 MJ

MGU-K max power 120 kW (161 hp)

Max MGU-K RPM 50,000

Max MGU-H RPM 125,000

Car

Overall weight including water, oil and driver: 752 kg

Chassis made from carbon fibre and honeycomb composite with halo protection device around the cockpit. Bodywork and seat made from carbon fiber

Rear differential with hydraulic torque converter

Brembo carbon disc brakes, front and rear. Electronic brake-by-wire on rear brakes

Ferrari longitudinally-mounted gearbox with 8 forward gears and reverse

Push-rod front suspension, pull-rod rear suspension

13-inch front and rear wheels