Ferrari F2001

The Ferrari F2001 was a highly successful Formula One car that the Ferrari team competed with for the 2001 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by Rory Byrne, Ignazio Lunetta, Aldo Costa, Marco Fainello, Nikolas Tombazis and James Allison with Ross Brawn playing a vital role in leading the production of the car as the team's Technical Director and Paolo Martinelli assisted by Giles Simon leading the engine design and operations. A revised version known as the F2001B was used in the first two races of 2002 before being replaced by the F2002.

Ferrari F2001
Ferrari F2001B

Michael Schumacher driving the F2001 in Laguna Seca
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Ferrari
Designer(s)	Ross Brawn (Technical Director) Rory Byrne (Chief Designer) Ignazio Lunetta (Head of R&D) Aldo Costa (Head of Chassis Design) Marco Fainello (Head of Vehicle Dynamics) Nikolas Tombazis (Head of Aerodynamics) James Allison (Chief Aerodynamicist) Paolo Martinelli (Engine Technical Director) Gilles Simon (Engine Chief Designer)
Predecessor	F1-2000
Successor	F2002
Technical specifications
Chassis	Moulded carbon fibre & Honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)	Independent suspension, pushrod activated torsion springs
Suspension (rear)	Independent suspension, pushrod activated torsion springs
Length	4,460 mm (176 in)
Width	1,800 mm (71 in)
Height	1,100 mm (43 in)
Engine	Ferrari Tipo 050 , 3.0 L (3,000 cc; 183 cu in) , 90° V10, naturally-aspirated, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout
Transmission	7-speed semi-automatic sequential Limited-slip Differential gearbox + reverse
Power	825 horsepower (615 kW) @ 17,300 rpm
Weight	600 kg (1,323 lb)
Fuel	Shell Fuel
Lubricants	Shell Lubricant
Brakes	Carbon brake discs, pads and calipers
Tyres	Bridgestone BBS Racing Wheels : 13"
Competition history
Notable entrants	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
Notable drivers	1. Michael Schumacher 2. Rubens Barrichello
Debut	2001 Australian Grand Prix
First win	2001 Australian Grand Prix
Last win	2002 Australian Grand Prix
Last event	2002 Brazilian Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 20 10 26 13 3
Constructors' Championships	2001, 2002
Drivers' Championships	2001, 2002

Overview

The F2001 was designed around new regulation changes which mandated a higher-mounted front wing assembly to reduce downforce. This resulted in a distinctive 'droopsnoot' nose section and spoon-shaped front wing. The season also saw the re-introduction of traction and launch control systems, therefore the car and its suspension were designed with this in mind.

Being somewhat of a departure over previous Brawn/Byrne Ferrari designs, the car was based more on McLaren's design thinking. A test with the 2000 car-which featured a high nose-that was adapted to the new regulations made that design impractical, so a low nose was adopted instead. However, the car did feature Ferrari trademarks, such as the periscope exhausts pioneered by the team in 1998 and the small bargeboards which were a feature of its predecessors. The F2001 used the same basic gearbox and internal layout as its predecessors, however the aerodynamic efficiency and tyre wear were improved considerably over the F300 (1998), F399 (1999) and F1-2000 (2000).

Setting up the car proved easier, and it was faster than the rival McLaren MP4-16, but the Williams FW23—although aerodynamically inferior—was fitted with the massively powerful BMW engine, which was more than a match for the Ferrari power unit. The Ferrari was notably more reliable than either of its rivals however.

Season performance

The season would turn out to be easy for Michael Schumacher, who took nine victories and his fourth world championship—scoring a then-record 123 points. He also surpassed Alain Prost's record for most Grand Prix wins during the year. He failed to finish only twice, but his teammate Rubens Barrichello had bad luck and looked poised to take wins himself, being hindered only by unreliability. All the while, Ferrari won its third straight Constructors' Championship.

The car was updated before the season finale in Japan, ostensibly to test 2002 components in race conditions. The updated F2001 was still competitive at the beginning of the 2002 season and Schumacher took the car's final win at the Australian Grand Prix before it was replaced by the all-conquering F2002 from the third race (only for Schumacher) and fourth race onwards (for Barrichello). Overall, the F2001 took ten wins, thirteen pole positions, three fastest laps and 197 points throughout its lifespan.

F2001 at the Museo Ferrari

Michael Schumacher driving the F2001 at the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix.

Livery

Ferrari used 'Marlboro' logos, except at French, British, Italian (sponsorships were removed and nose cones were painted black due to the September 11 attacks) and United States (an American flag featured on the bargeboard) Grands Prix.

F2001B

For the opening rounds of the 2002 season, Ferrari ran an evolution of the F2001, denoted the F2001B, before the new Ferrari F2002 was adopted from the third round of the 2002 campaign. The car's chassis, designated as Ferrari 215, was developed by Ferrari's chief designer, Rory Byrne. It featured a lightweight and aerodynamically efficient design, which contributed to its impressive performance on the track. The F2001B was powered by a Ferrari Tipo 051 engine, a 3.0-liter V10 configuration.

The Ferrari F2001B made its debut at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix, held at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. Michael Schumacher demonstrated the car's capabilities by securing a strong qualifying position. While he didn't achieve pole position (which went to Schumacher's teammate Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher put up a competitive performance during the race and ultimately emerged as the victor. This triumph marked a promising start to the season for both Schumacher and the Ferrari team.

The second race of the season took place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Schumacher qualified on pole position. However, during the first corner of the race, Schumacher was involved in a collision with Juan Pablo Montoya, which affected his chances of securing a higher finishing position. Despite the setback, Schumacher managed to finish in third place, earning valuable points for the championship.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Entrant	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
2001	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro	Ferrari 050 V10	B		AUS	MAL	BRA	SMR	ESP	AUT	MON	CAN	EUR	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	USA	JPN	179	1st
				Michael Schumacher	1	1	2	Ret	1	2	1	2	1	1	2	Ret	1	1	4	2	1
				Rubens Barrichello	3	2	Ret	3	Ret	3	2	Ret	5	3	3	2	2	5	2	15	5
2002	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro	Ferrari 050 V10	B		AUS	MAL	BRA	SMR	ESP	AUT	MON	CAN	EUR	GBR	FRA	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	USA	JPN	221*	1st
				Michael Schumacher	1	3
				Rubens Barrichello	Ret	Ret	Ret

* 14 points scored with the F2001, 215 with the Ferrari F2002.