Costa says F2007 an evolution

Costa, who replaces Ross Brawn as Ferrari's tech chief following the Briton's decision to take a sabbatical, claims the Maranello squad have changed their approach compared to last season when designing the new F2007.

Ferrari finished as runners-up to Renault in last year's championship, but the Italian team looked like the ones to beat in the latter part of the season, winning four of the last five races.

That has led to a more conservative approach when creating this year's car.

"The methodology of the project and the development of the car has been under the sign of continuity," said Costa. "Last year we adopted an aggressive approach and this year we will work with the same rhythm in development as in 2006. This was our aim and we hit our target.

"The aerodynamics have been completely remodelled; above all the front suspension, the air inlets on the main body and the rear axle are tighter and more tapered, to benefit also from the new architecture of the gear box.

"The suspension has been revised also under the aspect of new tyres, while the gear box has a new quick shift system, which will avert time loss during gear-changes. This system lowers the time of gear change, works for all gears and in every condition.

"We have also modified the disposition and the inclination of the radiator. As far as the rear suspension is concerned, it is continuing to evolve.

"Today's car is the one that will debut and has the same wings as the one in 2006. The car, which will go to start at the first GP, will have optimized wings, while this is just a provisional version. The F2007 is however definitive in its structure."

The F2007 will make its track debut tomorrow at the Fiorano circuit.