The Singapore Grand Prix has been a landmark stop in the prestigious FIA Formula One World Championship calendar for the past decade - a challenging street circuit set against the night lights and the city backdrop.
The new Ferrari 488 Pista was unveiled by Kimi Raikkonen and Maurizio Arrivabene, Team Principal of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team For the last two consecutive years, Ferrari has been present as a support race with the annual one-make race series, the Ferrari Challenge. Marking the start to this season of nail-biting races, Ferrari held their annual Formula One and Ferrari Challenge Party at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia on 13 September.Â
Opening the night of festivities, Mr. Dieter Knechtel, CEO of Ferrari Far & Middle East, said, "Racing lies in the DNA of Ferrari, and continues to inspire so many enthusiasts all over the world!"
"This year marks already the fourth time the Challenge series is held in Singapore, as we believe that this is the greatest way for our gentlemen drivers to live up to their passion for racing with Ferrari behind the wheel of the 488 Challenge, on this one-of-a kind city circuit."
Twin-turbo V8 churns 710bhp and 770Nm of torque The occassion also marked the official unveilling of the brand new Ferrari 488 Pista in Singapore, with Scuderia Ferrari Team Priincipal Maurizio Arrivabene and Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen present to unveil the car.
The 488 Pista is powered by the most powerful V8 engine in the Maranello marque's history and is the company's special series sports car with the highest level yet of technological transfer from racing.
The twin-turbocharged V8 engine now produces 710bhp and 770Nm of torque. The engine adopts numerous solutions derived from the 488 Challenge race car including new titatnium con-rods and carbon fibre intake plenums, a lightweight crankshaft and flywheel, and an inverted radiator cooling system to maintain optimal performance levels even in high thermal stress situations.
The lightweight components taken from the Challenge car contributes to a 90kg weight reduction compared to the 488 GTB.Â
Extensive revisions have been made to improve the 488 Pista's aerodynamic performance A big part of improving the 488 Pista's performance is the car's aerodynamics. The already exceptional aerodynamic efficiency of the 488 GTB has been improved by 20%.Â
The need for efficient downforce resulted in the whole of the front of the car being completely redesigned, particularly the bumpers and bonnet. One innovative Formula One-derived solution is the S-Duct, used for the very first time on a road car.
The air from the intake on the front bumper passes through an aerodynamic duct with calibrated sections and exits through a vent on the bonnet, creating downward force over the front axle. Furthermore, the front intake is completed by a central lower wing profile that acts as a splitter, increasing the amount of air passing through the S-Duct, while also further boosting downforce by creating a low pressure area under the front underbody.Â
Extensive use of carbon fbre and Alcantara inside At the rear, two elements contribute to the achievement of the downforce target - the blown spoiler system and the venting behind the rear wheels. The spoiler is higher and longer, with the calibrated sections optimised to improve the car's overall downforce.
The increase in drag caused by the new blown spoiler system is compensated for by the shape of the air flows venting from the rear bumper below the tail lights.
Furthermore, the vents have been optimised to exploit the pressure field generated by the spoiler, allowing the diffuser to be struck by a cleaner, more energised flow, boosting the rear downforce it generates.Â
The interior has a distinctive racing feel with all superfluous elements eliminated. The extensive use of lightweight, exclusive technical materials such as carbon fibre and Alcantara combine with the meticulous crafting and sophistication that is the signature of all Ferrari cockpits, including details such as contrasting hand-stitching, tread plates and heel rests in triangular pattern aluminium.Â
Opening the night of festivities, Mr. Dieter Knechtel, CEO of Ferrari Far & Middle East, said, "Racing lies in the DNA of Ferrari, and continues to inspire so many enthusiasts all over the world!"
"This year marks already the fourth time the Challenge series is held in Singapore, as we believe that this is the greatest way for our gentlemen drivers to live up to their passion for racing with Ferrari behind the wheel of the 488 Challenge, on this one-of-a kind city circuit."
The 488 Pista is powered by the most powerful V8 engine in the Maranello marque's history and is the company's special series sports car with the highest level yet of technological transfer from racing.
The twin-turbocharged V8 engine now produces 710bhp and 770Nm of torque. The engine adopts numerous solutions derived from the 488 Challenge race car including new titatnium con-rods and carbon fibre intake plenums, a lightweight crankshaft and flywheel, and an inverted radiator cooling system to maintain optimal performance levels even in high thermal stress situations.
The lightweight components taken from the Challenge car contributes to a 90kg weight reduction compared to the 488 GTB.Â
The need for efficient downforce resulted in the whole of the front of the car being completely redesigned, particularly the bumpers and bonnet. One innovative Formula One-derived solution is the S-Duct, used for the very first time on a road car.
The air from the intake on the front bumper passes through an aerodynamic duct with calibrated sections and exits through a vent on the bonnet, creating downward force over the front axle. Furthermore, the front intake is completed by a central lower wing profile that acts as a splitter, increasing the amount of air passing through the S-Duct, while also further boosting downforce by creating a low pressure area under the front underbody.Â
The increase in drag caused by the new blown spoiler system is compensated for by the shape of the air flows venting from the rear bumper below the tail lights.
Furthermore, the vents have been optimised to exploit the pressure field generated by the spoiler, allowing the diffuser to be struck by a cleaner, more energised flow, boosting the rear downforce it generates.Â
The interior has a distinctive racing feel with all superfluous elements eliminated. The extensive use of lightweight, exclusive technical materials such as carbon fibre and Alcantara combine with the meticulous crafting and sophistication that is the signature of all Ferrari cockpits, including details such as contrasting hand-stitching, tread plates and heel rests in triangular pattern aluminium.Â
