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Ferrari unveiled their new Formula One racing car, the F10, at the Fiorano track in Maranello, Italy on 28th January 2010.

Ferrari’s president, Luca di Montezemolo referred to the unveiling of the car as a “rebirth” for a team that had suffered in 2009 with just one victory. At the event, Montezemolo also welcomed twice World Champion Fernando Alonso to the Ferrari team. The Spaniard replaces Kimi Raikkonen and joins Brazilian Felipe Massa for the 2010 season of racing. Massa had previously been out of action since receiving a serious head injury in August 2009.

The F10 is the 56th single-seater produced by Ferrari to contest the world championship and the team hope it will help them win it.

The car is the result of an intense programme of work that started in the spring of 2009 and intensified during the summer.

The F10’s engineering team included technical director Aldo Costa, engine boss Luca Marmorini, designer Nikolas Tombazis, and chief designer Nikolas Tombazis.

The design team had to review the whole car, from the nose to the rear wing, because of the substantial changes in some of the F1 rules and to recover a performance deficit that was evident from the 2009 season.

The car was made longer and wider to accommodate the now bigger fuel tank, and the car’s rear axle was revised to exploit the double diffuser as much as possible. Work on aerodynamics led to the widening of the diffuser, making it more efficient through improving the airflow underneath the car, and therefore the downforce and grip on the road. The work on aerodynamics also resulted in raising the car’s nose and modifying the floor.

Because of the new rules, the team had to get rid of the static flange on the outside of the wheels that had a very important aerodynamic effect that needed compensating.

The F10 has a completely revised gearbox that is smaller than the 2009 model. The result is that it creates more space for the diffuser.

The front suspension now has revised dampers and the rear suspension has some kinetic changes.

The all important engine is a type 056 with 8 cylinders. The cylinder block is made from sand cast aluminium and is a powerful V90, 32 valve.

The F10 obviously has great potential for the Ferrari team and maybe 2010 will be their year.

If this excites your passion for Ferrari’s then why not have a go behind the wheel yourself? You can find Ferrari Spyder hire, Ferrari hire or supercar hire places on the internet such as Premiere Velocity.

Back pain is one of the most common conditions reported by patients. Two out of every three people suffer from back pain, the most common type being a disc problem. This occurs where the spine and its vertebrae become twisted or bent forward allowing the back of the joint to open. This lets a disc bulge backwards, causing pressure on the nerve behind it as it emerges from the spinal cord. It is this that causes inflammation and pain.

The most common way for patients to get this type of injury is from the incorrect lifting of heavy loads. However, just bending awkwardly or prolonged stooping can cause problems for the spine. This highlights the need to follow safe gardening and lifting practices.

Sciatica, (Latin for ‘pain down the back of the leg’), is usually caused by trapping the sciatic nerve in the lower back. It is a relatively common form of back pain. The pain from sciatica can be severe and debilitating but this is not always the case and luckily physiotherapists can do something about it.

By understanding how techniques can affect and change the mechanics of the spine, back pain can be alleviated. Therapists can treat it with a variety of techniques, one of which is the Mackenzie Exercise Regime. The Regime helps to educate patients how to react when they first become aware that their back is in difficulties. Simple stretching exercises and special ‘push ups’ help adjust the mechanics of the back and help move the discs back into the correct position.

Another technique used by physiotherapists is connective tissue manipulation (CTM). It works because the movement of the tissues by the therapist creates a short, sharp, nervous stretch reflex that creates an impulse that spreads throughout the connective tissue. The patient’s brain will translate the impulse as if it were a scratch to the skin. The reflex itself is a small impulse that passes through the fluid in the connective tissue and releases tension. This reduction in tension around the blood vessel walls allows more blood to flow into the damaged area, thus reducing inflammation. Softening the connective tissue allows more movement to occur without irritation and pain to the patient.

If you suffer from back pain, it is a good idea to visit your local physio to see what they can do for you.