Although the new Ferrari may not make its debut appearance until as late as round five of the 2005 championship season, Ferrari’s Rory Byrne has revealed that Michael Schumacher’s new charger should be very different from its championship winning predecessor, the F2004, in more ways than one.
"It will be different from the F2004, but in the evolutionary sense, with some areas very different, which will be recognizable on sight," Byrne told the Gazetta Dello sport. "There will be a new engine, non interchangeable with the current one and the same goes for the gearbox.”
While the new car will be a definite improvement, whether or not it will win the 2005 title will depend on how many steps, and how big they are, are taken by their various rivals up and down pit lane.
"Competitiveness is relative, as it depends on how strong the rivals are," he explained. "I was surprised to see in the first race in Melbourne how the others made minimal progress... So the new car will be another big step forward, but its level of success will depend on our rivals."
Byrne also confirmed that they will be finished with the suspension by the end of this month (today) and as such they are hoping to put them to the test on the 2004 car in Jerez this week, but if not, in Fiorano.
“It will be something very innovative in building terms,” he said.
Even though Michael won’t be testing until the New Year, the German ace tried out a hybrid version of the new car early last month, and has given his invaluable input.
"Michael is very good at identifying a car's areas of improvement, so he explained what he wanted in terms of drivability, traction and steering management. He has the rare ability to carry out tests always on the limit, and he immediately tells you whether a solution works or not,"Byrne concluded.
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