Page 1 of 1 Keen to hold on to the advantage carefully crafted during the previous increasingly successful seasons, Ferrari set about developing a brand new Grand Prix car for the 2002 Formula 1 World Championship. Dubbed the F2002, it replaced the already very accomplished F2001 that took Michael Schumacher to nine wins on his way to his second consecutive driver's World Championship. In fact, it was so good that a slightly updated version won the opening round of 2002 while the F2002 was still being fine-tuned back at the factory.
When the F2002 did break cover, at round three, the Brazilian Grand Prix, it did not look too different from the F2001 raced previously. Nothing could have been further from the truth as underneath the thin carbon-fibre composite skin, the F2002 was indeed brand new. The team lead by technical director Ross Brawn and chief designer Rory Byrne focused on reducing the overall weight and also the car's centre of gravity.
To achieve the ambitious goals set, an altogether lighter carbon-fibre composite monocoque was created. Used as a fully stressed member was the Tipo 051 V10, which may not have been the most powerful engine on the grid but was lighter, more compact, fuel efficient and reliable than its rivals. The hot gasses were routed out of the engine through aerodynamically shaped chimney exhausts. Built specifically for the F2002 was the seven-speed gearbox and its lightweight titanium casing. This incorporated a new-for-2002 clutchless direct shift technology and a new fluid traction control system.
One F2002 was ready for the Brazilian Grand Prix, which not surprisingly was entered for team-leader Michael Schumacher. The German missed out on pole position by a tenth but would go on to clinch a debut victory for the new Ferrari Grand Prix racer. It would be the start of a dominant season, which would see the F2002 win all but one of the remaining 13 races in the 2002 season. Schumacher was crowned World Champion after just 11 of the 17 races by winning the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours. In addition to Schumacher's ten wins, team-mate Rubens Barrichello also grabbed four victories.
With 14 wins in 15 starts during the 2002, the F2002 ranks as one of the most successful Grand Prix cars of all time. One more win was added in 2003 as Ferrari opted to run the F2002 in four more Grands Prix before it was replaced by the new F2003-GA. Page 1 of 1
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Keen to hold on to the advantage carefully crafted during the previous increasingly successful seasons, Ferrari set about developing a brand new Grand Prix car for the 2002 Formula 1 World Championship. Dubbed the F2002, it replaced the already very accomplished F2001 that took Michael Schumacher to nine wins on his way to his second consecutive driver's World Championship. In fact, it was so good that a slightly updated version won the opening round of 2002 while the F2002 was still being fine-tuned back at the factory.