PaddockSpy-Grand Prix Blog

Kimi Raikkonen will race a lighter Ferrari chassis in this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in a bid to increase the benefit he gains from KERS. Raikkonen’s heavier physique, relative to team mate Felipe Massa, means accommodating KERS has proven more of a challenge than on the Brazilian’s car, hence the new lightweight F60.

The new chassis (number 279) is part of a planned development programme which began at the end of 2008. Ferrari insist the reduced weight will in no way compromise the safety of Raikkonen’s car and the revised chassis has already passed the mandatory FIA crash test. The team are also confident of improved KERS reliability following extensive work on the system since the last round in Bahrain.

Like most of their rivals, Ferrari will be bringing a revised aero package to Spain, including some elements originally scheduled for introduction later in the year. The champions will race a new diffuser, which they describe as ‘only a first attempt at designing a part that was not part of the initial design’.

Accommodating the new diffuser has been a complex task, with engineers having to redesign much of the F60’s electronics and hydraulics systems in order to relocate components at the rear of the car. The revised design was tested at Vairano last week as part of the allowed aero test days, with Marc Gene at the wheel.

source: www.formula1.com