Despite handling 45,000...
Despite handling 45,000 vehicles a day, it scored highly in two key categories - traffic management and fire extinguisher provision. Paul Watters from the AA Motoring Trust - which is a member of Euro TAP - said: "Tunnel fires in Europe have killed around 90 people over the past 10 years. However, the UK has an excellent record for tunnel safety."
This is the machine...
This is the machine the Italian outfit hopes will allow Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa to maintain the great German driver’s winning streak.
Although it looks similar to its predecessor, the 248, the F2007 is a major step forward according to the team. Among its improvements are a longer wheelbase and a seamless-shift transmission. This enables drivers to change ratio without losing power, and engineers at Ferrari claim it’s worth about three-tenths-of-a-second a lap.
Aldo Costa, who has replaced Ross Brawn as Ferrari technical director, said: “Continuity was key for the team. Last year, we had an aggressive approach, and that will also be the case in our development work this season.
“The aerodynamics have been completely remodelled; above all, the front suspension, the air inlets on the main body and the rear axle are tighter and more tapered, to benefit from the new architecture of the gearbox.”
BMW has followed a similar principle with its all-new F1.07, which is the first machine the German manufacturer has built from scratch since taking over the struggling Sauber squad in 2005. It hopes the new racer will enable drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica to become regular fixtures in the top three over the course of this season. Boss Dr Mario Theissen said: “We want to make it on to the podium on our own merit this year. Without luck, victories aren’t yet a realistic prospect for 2007 – we are aiming for that in 2008. In 2009, we want to be in contention for the world championship.”
The F1.07 revealed yesterday boasts a shorter, higher nose than the car it replaces. It also features larger radiator intakes, which will aid cooling in the hot climes of the opening rounds in Australia, Bahrain and Malaysia. And company engineers have slimmed the rear end down as well.
However, both Ferrari and BMW were left trailing by Toyota, which became the first constructor to launch a new car when its TF107 was unveiled on Friday. The squad claims it holds an advantage going into the 2007 season as it’s the only one of the 11 Formula One teams to have the same drivers, engine and tyres as in 2006.
What’s more, it has ambitiously targeted wins. Vice president of Toyota Motorsport George Tadashi Yamashina said: “The most important aim for this year is our first victory.”
Jarno Trulli, who again lines up with Ralf Schumacher, added: “I have heard good things from the engineers; the car has made huge steps in terms of downforce in the wind tunnel and mechanics in general. So I expect better results than with the previous car.”