Maranello (Italy): Ferrari unveiled its completely overhauled Formula One car in a low-key Internet presentation on Friday after the full launch was cancelled due to a snowstorm.
The car was named the F2012, which marks a return to the team`s traditional jargon after last year`s car was called the F150 in honour of the 150th anniversary of Italy`s unification.
"We`re hoping it`s competitive right away," team principal Stefano Domenicali said.
Having won only one race last year, Ferrari began working on the new car midway through last season, with a heavy emphasis on improved aerodynamics.
The most visible new features are a series of flaps on the front wings, plus short aerodynamic features on the car`s flanks.
"There were some difficult choices behind the F2012, but they represent our style of looking forward," Domenicali said, adding that the team wanted a break with past editions.
"Technically, there are a lot of new features, both mechanical and in the car`s form."
While Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel won their second consecutive drivers` and constructors` titles last season, Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso finished fourth, teammate Felipe Massa was sixth and the Italian squad finished third in the constructors` standings.
"We`ve got to be optimistic and confident in ourselves at this point of the year," Alonso said.
"There`s still a lot of intense work to do, many months where we`ve got to be consistent, determined and united as a team."
Massa hasn`t won a race since a life-threatening accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2009 and his contract expires at the end of this year.
"I`m very confident and convinced that I can do well. This is a very important year for me and for the entire squad," Massa said.
This year`s first test session is next week in Jerez, while the opening race is in Melbourne on March 18.
PTI
First Published: Friday, February 03, 2012, 18:06