Formula one: Byrne lending a hand to Ferrari’s car

Ferrari taps the talents of Rory Byrne,the South African designer.

LONDON: Ferrari are tapping the talents of Rory Byrne, the South African designer whose cars took Michael Schumacher to seven Formula One drivers’ titles with Benetton and Ferrari, to help with development of their 2014 car. Byrne was spotted at the launch of the team’s 2013 car, the F138, at the Maranello factory this month, and Ferrari confirmed that he was also involved – at a distance – in next year’s challenger. A spokesman said the 69-year-old was working on the new Enzo road car project but also providing ‘operational support’ on the 2014 F1 project. An earlier report in German publication Auto, Motor und Sport had quoted Byrne as saying he was ‘working full steam’ on the car with the F138 looking like ‘child’s play’ in comparison to it.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2013.