All the facilities
Gestione Sportiva
The central Gestione Sportiva building is home to all the Formula 1 departments including General Management, headed by Stefano Domenicali. Also in the building is the Direzione Sportiva, Logistics, the Controllo di Gestione, Human Resources, the Purchasing Office and the Information Systems department. The Chassis Department and the Engine Department are also based here, along with the planning and technical offices. The second building is where the Engine Assembly departments, the Transmission department, and the Hydraulics and Car Mounting departments are found. This is also where the single-seaters are assembled and started up before being taken out on the test track.
The final building is where engines under development, and those just assembled, are tested.
The Composites Area
The Composites Area works exclusively for Ferrari’s F1 cars. It constructs the bodywork and all the carbon-fibre components for use on a single-seater. The department also makes aerodynamic changes to the cars throughout the season, and is one of the most advanced (and secret) of Ferrari departments.
Mechanics
The Gestione Sportiva's Mechanics team produces all the mechanical parts of the chassis and engines for the Formula 1 cars, in particular, the transmission and cooling systems. All the parts produced here are checked thoroughly and then mounted on the single-seaters.
Logistics
Situated between the Fiorano circuit and the GES base, Logistics is responsible for making sure the team has everything it needs to compete in an F1 Grand Prix. Thirty tons of materials, 90 technicians, mechanics and other personnel have to be transported to and from every race, so it’s essential that Logistics is as streamlined and efficient as possible. The compact, metallic shape of the building – it looks like an airship – has been perfectly planned to deal with the hectic pace of the Logistics department. The flexibility of the workspace and the comfortable working conditions were key factors for Ferrari when designing the building, and each car has its own area for loading and maintenance.
F1 Wind Tunnel
In 1998 the Wind Tunnel opened. Designed by one of Italy’s leading architects, Renzo Piano, it can be used with 65% scale models and full-size models.
The Wind Tunnel is equipped with the most modern system of data acquisition, both analogue and digital, and a sophisticated system of measuring wind force. The wind is generated by a 2,000 kW fan measuring over five metres in diameter.
Fiorano Circuit
Fiorano Circuit was constructed in 1972 on a site close to the Maranello factory.
The track, equipped with a closed-circuit television system, telemetry and chronograph, is used for testing Ferrari F1 single-seaters, GT cars and Maseratis.
The track length was originally 2948.50 metres; in 1996 a new chicane was added and its length extended to 2976.41 metres.
The Fiorano designers wanted to reproduce various features of the tracks used on the World Championship tour. The chassis is put through its paces on the bends, and there is a 'steering pad' for tyre development. In 2001 and 2002, the circuit was fitted with a unique irrigation system that can completely wet the track in just a few minutes and absorb much of the surface water. The asphalt has also recently been upgraded with Cariphalite Grand Prix Bitumen, developed by Shell, which guarantees maximum grip and optimal drainage.
In the past, the central building housed the offices of Enzo Ferrari. There are still offices there today and, in the loft space, a gym where the drivers can work out. There is also an 80-seat stand and a secure garage area, so the squad can carry on working in all weathers.