Ferrari Launch: Engine

[Adam43]

There is some information about the new engine (the 053) from Ferrari and on F1-live.com

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlin...26132741.shtml

I particular liked the phrase that they have produced "enough power"!

Like the others, much emphasis has been put on the new engine rules. It is an evolution of the previous engine (052).

The majority of engine components have been revised or designed from scratch: the engine can be adapted, or in technical-speak, be 'mapped' to suit the requirements of the championship (by this I am thinking of the various circuit types and the different ambient temperatures which can be encountered.)

This is what I think the Ferrari engineers are best at. They can produce a usable engine for the conditions. This can be much more important than absolute power.

Another interesting point is that the 053 can only be fitted to the new 2004 car.

Here is a graphic of the engine from f1-live.com (and Ferrari).
http://f1.racing-live.com/photos/200.../diapo_129.jpg

[DriverT]

Seems an interesting engine. I wonder how it compares on paper to the old engine in terms of power (i.e. what is "enough"?). But I think the engine chief is right that they should aim to keep the engine at a consistant level of power right across the weekend.

It will be interesting to see how it compares to BMW's.

[Inigo Montoya]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
Another interesting point is that the 053 can only be fitted to the new 2004 car.

Hmmm. But it also has to be fitted to the Sauber, no?

[Adam43]

OK make that 2004 cars... Anyway...

[Sir Frank]

By mapped according to the requirements, do they not mean, different from qualifying to race? Shed loads of power in qualifying, if the engine pops in qualifying, they'll start with a penalty and brand new engine, or from pole and a detuned map! Even the possibility of more power if being chased down in the final laps/overtaking?

After all even your road car has a fuel/ignition map to take ambient temp, air pressure, etc.

[Adam43]

All of those things. Mainly I think it means different maps for each circuit. Monaco to Monza.

However, yes choices to provide a bit more power (the so-called 'boost button') for short periods.

[GP Racer]

Hmmm, would that fit in my Fiat Spider? The engines look very similar...

[Pitstop]

GP Racer,

Have you mislaid your spectacles again??

Consistancy is going to matter a lot this year methinks.

[Sodemo]

Interesting as it seems as though the Ferrari unit is lighter than the 2003 unit with less power (reading between the lines) however I gather from a number of sources that the 2004 BMW unit is heavier than the 2003 engine, but almost as powerful...

[Snrub]

Do we have numbers on the weight differences between the Ferrari and BMW engines 2003->2004? Assuming it's nothing to drastic it shouldn't make any real difference.