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On the 6th of January, 2008, continuing a well-known tradition, Ferrari launched its new model car for this year鈥檚 season. However, at a first glance, this Ferrari is quite different than the one before it-in the first place, different due to being the first of the new generation to incorporate the Standard Electronic Control Unit (SECU) produced by McLaren Electronic Systems. Second of all, also new, are the gearboxes which have to be used for at least four consecutive races and the side protection walls which, out of safety reasons, must be built higher around the cockpit this year.
One of the most important changes is the weight, which increased a lot, mainly due to the new rules that limit the types of materials that can be used to build the aerodynamic surfaces and the chassis. Even though the aerodynamics of the car is extremely new, the car does not have yet its final shape-Ferrari states that it can be totally reworked before the Formula 1 first race.
There are also some other features that have to be mentioned here: the simplified management system for the differential, gearbox and engine due to the new SECU, the very much discussed topic of the prohibition on traction control, the removal of engine braking (thanks to the SECU again) which led to changes into the wheelbase and weight distribution of the car. At this point nobody can tell if these changes are for the better, mostly because everybody is waiting for rival car of McLaren to be launched tomorrow. However, only the race itself will tell if all these efforts of the Ferrari team were worth it.
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