Analysis - what’s new on the Ferrari SF16-H?

Ferrari's new SF16-H made a strong start to its 2016 campaign on Monday, as Sebastian Vettel topped the morning times. But what has changed on the new car relative to its predecessor? We take a look with the help of technical illustrator Giorgio Piola...

For 2016 Ferrari have finally moved to a short nose design (2), very similar to Red Bull’s, which will aid airflow under the car. For launch the team have retained last year’s front wing (1), as well the blown front axle. The shape of the chassis (3) is now much higher and straighter, with a vanity panel possibly intended for a future S-duct solution. The sidepods (4) are taller and more blended with the chassis in order to respect the revised regulations requiring cockpit head protection to be 2cm higher. There are 10 small hot air vents beside the cockpit (5) and the airbox is now more oval in shape and higher relative to the driver’s helmet. The new engine cover shape features what could be a small inlet for the engine manifold (6).

At the rear of the car the long sidepods (7) are very low, with all the hot air from them expelled in the rear suspension area. The lower portion of the car’s rear (8) is very narrow thanks to a more compact gearbox design, which no longer contains the MGU-K but does feature an innovative clutch position (see related article below). The rear of the engine cover (9) is also lower and different in shape to the SF15-T’s. For launch, as at the front, the rear wing design (10) is from the end of the 2015 season.

In the front-on drawing above, you can clearly see the aforementioned shorter nose design, with its more complex, vertical front wing pillars. Also visible is the more rounded airbox shape, and the move from pullrod to pushrod front suspension - highlighted in more detail in the final drawing below.