THE SF19 CHASSIS MARKS A NEW ERA IN SUPER FORMULA

After a very succeful five-year stint, the outgoing SF14 platform will be replaced by the brand-new SF19. A chassis, developed by Dallara, that keeps the same ‘light and fast principle’, but with all the latest safety upgrades and technology. The teams have taken delivery of their new chassis and have been putting it through its paces.

The new Dallara SF19 chassis brings a complete overhaul to one of the fastest single-seater series outside Formula One. But compared to its global counterpart, which updates its chassis every year, Super Formula’s chassis was doing it’s fifth. The SF19 is completely different from the SF14. Dallara designed it with a shorter wheelbase and a bigger aerodynamic accent on underfloor generating rather than with its wing. This should ensure tighter competition in 2019.

Visual changes are obvious, as the rear wing sits lower down and leans farther back, and special winglets have been added to the sidepods. The most obvious feature is, of course, the introduction of the much discussed halo device.

Weight has always been Super Formula’s strong suit, and with the SF19, it’s no different. A kerb weight of around 660 kg makes it more than 50 kgs lighter than a Formula One car, and also makes it the lightest high-output single seater.

That the SF19 has significantly more potential has already been proven by the teams during pre-season testing, as the new car is beating the most of old car’s records by a considerable margin. On its first day of testing at Suzuka, Alex Palau broke the standing SF14 record—a trend which continued during the rest of the test sessions.

Also remarkable is the arrival of Red Bull Formula One Junior, Daniel Ticktum, racing a Honda Mugen powered Red Bull liveried car. The Formula 3 laureate will test his chances in Super Formula as part of his Junior F1 programme.

If you want to get a taste of what it’s like to drive the all-new SF19, you can. For the first time in it’s history, a Super Formula car will be drivable in a game. Gran Turismo Sport is introducing the SF19 in both engine formats in its virtual world for you to experience.

Dimensions:

• Length: 5,233 mm
• Wheel base: 3,115 mm
• Width: 1,900 mm
• Height: 960 mm
• Weight: More than 660 kg
• Gear box: Ricardo: 6-speed paddle shift system
• Brakes: Brembo calipers, carbon disc
• Steering: KYB electric power-steering system
• Front suspension: Pushrod suspension, torsion bar spring
• Rear suspension: Pushrod suspension
• Safety Standards: Conforms to 2016 FIA
• F1 safety standards

Engine:

• NRE (2,000 cc) inline-engine, with fuel restrictor and overtake system (OTS)
• Power 405 kw (550 ps) and over
• (HONDA, TOYOTA)

Tires:

• Yokohama Tire
• F/R: 270/620R13 /
• 360/620R13