Modern Formula One cars are single-seat open wheel race cars that have substantial wings at front and rear, and position the engine behind the driver.
The cars are constructed from composites of carbon fibre and similar ultra-lightweight materials. The current Formula One regulations specify that cars must be constructed by the racing teams themselves.
Every F1 car on the grid is capable of going from nought to 160km/h (100 mph) and back to nought in less than five seconds.Ferrari 248 F1
The 248 F1 is the fifty second single-seater built by Ferrari specifically for use in the Formula 1 World Championship.
Some notable features of the new model are the rear view mirrors, which are now mounted on the sidepods of the car rather than the nose of the car and new sponsor decals such as Martini . The car is also the first Ferrari since the F2001 to be without the number one. The project, which goes by the internal code of 657, represents the Scuderia's interpretation of the technical regulations which apply in 2006. The 248 F1 renews a tradition for Ferrari Formula 1 cars fitted with V8 engines, last seen in 1964 with the 158 F1. As usual, great attention is paid to the behaviour and optimisation of the materials used, from the design phase and through quality control, always striving to maximise the level of performance and to achieve the highest possible levels of safety. Design work began back in the spring of 2005 and naturally, took into account the strict limits laid out in the FIA technical regulations, in terms of the angle of the V, weight, dimensions and centre of gravity. The first example of the V8 engine ran on track in the month of August and development was initially carried out with it fitted to an F2004. Driveability was another important factor, when defining the new engine's characteristics, with the regulations requiring fixed inlet trumpets: engine management is controlled by an integrated injection and ignition system from Magneti Marelli.
Chassis: Carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure