Formula 1 used to be the pinnacle and very essence of what was possible in terms of car performance, design and technology. Whilst today’s cars may be filled with the very latest new technologies, the regulations and safety measures place upon today’s Formula 1 cars mean the performance and design possibilities are somewhat restricted as the very cutting edge of what could be achievable. In fact in the past few years the cars seem to have gone from sleek desirable machines to mismatched and deformed ugly cars that seem to be merely satisfying regulations. The odd double stepped platypus noses of the last couple of years were made even worse with the addition of random cylindrical horns poking out the front like a stubby jousting lance.
Known for their design pedigree and beautiful creations both on the track and the roads, Ferrari have obviously had enough of being forced to represent their team with an ugly creation merely to meet the ever tightening regulations. Launched just in time for the regulation reviews by F1’s governing body, their Formula 1 concept is a hopeful look to the future, a glimpse of what they’d rather be racing for the world to see. 
The concept, although radically different, isn’t too far removed from the current regulations and offers a glimpse into what could be possible. With the rules mostly focussing on technical changes and ideas, the Italian marque would like to see a return to producing desirable creations the fans would covet on and off the racetrack.
Ferrari themselves have said that the visualisation is purely to make the cars more aesthetically pleasing and to draw the fans back to Formula 1. Although the car could easily perform as a functioning F1 machine, the intent was to bring beauty and stunning design back to the sport. Fan numbers have been dwindling in recent years and although the current rules were brought in to encourage more overtaking for that reason, it is no doubt that the cars are becoming function over form and the passionate fan base aren’t best pleased.
Ove the years, Ferrari have produced some of the finest machines to ever grace a race track. From Formula 1 to GT cars and beyond, their legacy has been to produce things of beauty as well as producing results on the track, and in recent years both seem to have eluded the team. 
Their new creation has been produced as an open challenge for other manufacturers to flex their design muscles and see if they can create something as equally desirable that could easily become a Formula 1 car design in the not too distant future. Red Bull have previously produced numerous concepts for racing games and as a display of their technical and design ability, yet they were creations that were aimed at something far into the future, Ferrari want to push the possibilities of what can be achieved short term.
The concept they have produced shows a far more visually appealing car with a hint of aggression and purpose to its lines. By incorporating the main front and rear wings into the design the shape is instantly recognisable as a Formula 1 car, yet it creates a cleaner more dynamic shape. The sleek lines incorporate all the familiar spoilers and ducts as you’d expect to find for downforce and air flow, yet they are more neatly packaged and designed to flow with the form of the rest of the car. Adorned with the usual logos and sponsors, the popular Ferrari Red shines through to make the design even more acceptable as a possible yet breath-taking look at what even the manufacturers would prefer to be racing. It shows the ability to be more free thinking and for designers to create dream machines, still not far removed from the sport’s guidelines on size, height or width, yet create cars that look as good as they perform. After all, a sport for beautiful people needs beautiful cars.
Although the car is not intended to meet the regulations for today’s Formula 1 grid, it is thrown into the mix as a provocation, not only to the F1 governing body, but to see what other manufacturers can create in order to push through possible rule changes. Ferrari area actively encouraging other teams to come up with their own designs in order to gauge what everyone else would prefer to see tearing round the track. They know more than anyone that beauty sells and that the glamour and prestige of Formula 1 needs an equally stunning car to get the fans back on board. Time will only tell to see if the other Formula 1 teams can come up with something equally as striking, and attempt to push through rule changes to allow for better looking cars for everyone.
HYPE Automotive 