New parts for Ferrari

The car which heads both Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships has a new aerodynamic package, the most significant element being a new engine cover. This morning, the team will carry out a back-to-back test, with Schumacher running the new version, while Barrichello sticks with the old one, in order to compare data and make a decision regarding which one to run for the rest of the weekend. Also making its debut here is a bi-directional telemetry system. Allowed for the first time this season, this means that engineers in the pits can make changes to some of the car’s parameters while it is going round the track. Other teams have been using these systems since the start of the season, but given that it brings no actual performance advantage, simply reducing the driver’s work load, the Scuderia wanted to be completely sure of its reliability, before running it at a grand prix. The new telemetry package means that there is a third element which is new here and that is the steering wheel.