The F60 was the 55th single-seater produced by Ferrari for Formula One. The chassis design team included Aldo Costa, Simone Resta, Tiziano Battistini, Marco Fainello, John Iley, and Marco de Luca. Mario Almondo served as Executive Technical Director, leading the production of the car. Giles Simon headed the engine and electronics division, supported by Lorenzo Sassi in engine design and development and Mattia Binotto in engine operations.
The car was unveiled on 12 January 2009. Although originally intended to debut at the Fiorano track, poor weather conditions moved the first shakedown to Mugello, where Felipe Massa conducted the initial run. Full testing commenced at the Mugello Circuit during the week of 19 January 2009.
The F60 was designed to meet new FIA regulations for the 2009 season, which banned large bargeboards and placed limits on the wheelbase. The regulations also mandated simpler front wings, narrower rear wings, and specific underside air flows to reduce aerodynamic disruption to following cars.
Ferrari's response to these changes included:
Aerodynamics: The front wing was moved further from the front wheels and reduced to a single layer to improve air flow. Large airflow plates were replaced with a smaller version, and side mirrors were moved to the edge of the car's floor. The sidepods were made "cleaner" following the ban on small side wings.
Chassis and Suspension: The car featured a simpler suspension positioned at a backward angle and was fitted with 1-tread slick tires. The rear diffuser was revised to produce less downforce in accordance with the rules.
Performance: Despite the restrictive regulations, Ferrari claimed the F60 was on average 1.9 seconds faster than the previous car.
The 2009 season began with three races in which Ferrari failed to score points. The F60 earned its first points at the Bahrain Grand Prix when Kimi Räikkönen finished sixth.
The team's season was further complicated at the Hungarian Grand Prix when Felipe Massa was struck by a spring from another car, resulting in a serious injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He was replaced first by test driver Luca Badoer and later by Giancarlo Fisichella. Neither replacement driver was able to find pace with the car, and both failed to score any points during their tenures.
The F60's sole victory came at the Belgian Grand Prix, where Räikkönen won after starting sixth on the grid. In early August 2009, Ferrari announced they had ceased development of the F60 to focus on their 2010 car. Räikkönen finished the season sixth in the drivers' standings with 48 points.
The F60's livery was primarily red with small white sections, reflecting sponsorship from Marlboro. During the Chinese Grand Prix, the cars featured a decal reading "Abruzzo nel cuore." as a tribute to the victims of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake.
Following its racing career, the F60 was used for demonstration runs. It has appeared in the liveries of later Ferrari models, including the 150° Italia, F14 T, SF16-H, and F1-75.
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