Ferrari: last team to test the Shark Fin

The Ferrari team has finally tested the brand new concept of the shark fin engine cover. The Italian team is the last of the ten teams on the 2008 grid to have tested this new device invented by Adrian Newey earlier this year.

It is indeed the Red Bull Racing team that was the first to implement this invention on its machines. The sister team, Toro Rosso, followed suit with the new STR03, and then Renault adopted it.

Since then, Force India has also implemented this concept during race weekends. Other teams have never used the innovation during weekends, but have already tried it. Williams, BMW, and Toyota last month, while Honda and McLaren tested it during private tests in Hockenheim about ten days ago. Ferrari is installing the device for the first time today on the F2008.

The Maranello team had already rolled out the pit equipment yesterday, but could only test it today. The goal was to compare performance with and without the wing.

The new engine cover, reminiscent of a shark fin, provides much more stability in corners while not obstructing the airflow in a straight line.

Gary Anderson, specialist for Autosport magazine, explains: « Imagine an airbox. If you go above a certain speed, there isn’t enough air to be sucked in to flow everywhere on a single-seater. Consequently, depressions are created around the side pods and engine cover, preventing the proper functioning of the rear wing. »