Ferrari Unveil the F2002 in Maranello

The Ferrari team unveiled on Wednesday their new car for the 2002 season - the F2002 - at a ceremony held at their headquarters in Maranello.

The new machine, with which the Italian squad aim to clinch their fourth Constructors' Championship in a row and their third consecutive Drivers' crown, has been designed by the team of engineers headed by chief designer Rory Byrne, who worked under the supervision of technical director Ross Brawn.

According to the team, the chassis is new, both in terms of its design and construction, resulting in a weight reduction and greater structural integrity. The sides pods, radiators, exhausts and the rear of the car are also completely new, achieving an improvement in the cooling and aerodynamic performance.

Ferrari have optimised the aerodynamic efficiency, lowered the centre of gravity and created the optimum conditions to maximise the performance of the 051 engine and the Bridgestone tyres. Despite the continuity of the regulations and apparent aesthetic similarities, all aspects of the car have been completely redesigned to achieve improvements in performance.

On the mechanical side like its predecessor, the new engine is load bearing and mounted longitudinally, as is the transmission. The latter is completely new and novel, especially in the usage of materials and the method of gear selection. The gearbox, cast in titanium, has seven sequential gears, hydraulically operated. The materials used in the transmission and engine have been specially developed to reduce weight and bulk.

Four-time World Champion Michael Schumacher will start his seventh season at the historic team, and will be partnered for the third consecutive year by Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. Italian Luca Badoer and Brazilian Luciano Burti, who were not present at the launch as they were testing at Mugello, will be the team's test drivers.