Out-of-the-box thinking led to ‘brave’ Ferrari 2022 F1 car design

The Italian outfit launched the F1-75 on Thursday afternoon with the presentation of a real 2022 car featuring a striking red-and-black livery and some eye-catching innovations. 

A slimmed-down sidepod concept and narrow nose design are distinct interpretations of F1’s new rules that have not been seen on the other cars launched to date.  

“We have tackled the challenge of this project with an innovative approach,” Binotto said at the launch of the F1-75.

“Because apart from the requirements of the completely new technical regulations we believe that we had to take on this exercise with an open mind.

“It called on all our know-how our creativity and above all our commitment. This is what I would call a brave Ferrari because we have interpreted the rules thinking outside the box.”

Binotto said Ferrari had taken an “innovative approach” with the development of its chassis and power unit for 2022’s revolutionary regulation overhaul. 

“There are a lot of non-conventional shapes in terms of aero choices,” he explained. “The power unit, we tried to put a lot of effort into its design. 

“The power unit and the combustion engine is a big innovation for us compared to the past in terms of design. It’s internal to the bodywork, so difficult to judge. 

“I think overall this car has a lot of innovation, starting with the combustion engine to the aero concept as well. I am not only dictated by regulations but the way we approached the exercise. 

“I am not nervous and the reason is that I think the team has improved since the last years, has developed capacity, methodology and new skills, and the way I have seen the team worked, I am pretty happy.

“I know the team and I know how good they are.” 

According to Binotto, Ferrari has the flexibility to change its more radical concepts if they do not work as hoped, or if other teams have stolen a march in a particular area. 

"Each single team has got flexibility in terms of design,” he said. “So I think what we will do at the start of the season is to look at the other cars, see the concepts they have decided and adopted. 

“Certainly we will test them in the windtunnel if there's any different direction to our one. 

“If you look at the body shape we have got, it’s quite wide. Certainly, we have not filled underbody so we have got flexibility certainly in the middle of the car, in the bodywork. 

"If you look at the regulations it’s quite prescriptive on the front wing, on the nose, and the rear wing. But there’s much more flexibility around the bodywork. 

“The way we have packaged our power unit will leave us some freedom in the future if there are other directions that can be promising.” 

After making encouraging progress last year in recovering from a dire 2020 campaign, Binotto acknowledged the pressure on Ferrari to further close the gap to Mercedes and Red Bull this season. 

"Do I feel the responsibility? Certainly, I feel it,” he added. “If we do not win is that a failure for Ferrari? I think it’s important for Ferrari to be back, to be competitive. 

“It’s our best opportunity to be back, to be competitive. I really think we’ve put a lot of effort with the team in designing and developing the new car and, honestly, the way I have seen the team working, I am proud of the way they made it, very united, putting [in] a lot of effort. 

"I am not considering a failure at the moment because I don’t think it’s the way it is. We’re simply focused on trying to do our best, raising the level and have a good start to the season.”