Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Ferrari unveil their new F1 car for the 2011 season: the F150


Ferrari today became the first team to unveil their car ahead of the new Formula One season as Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa took the wraps off their latest challenger, the F150, at the team's factory in Maranello. The choice of name stems from Ferrari's desire to pay tribute to this year being the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.
Alonso said: "I'm really motivated, really excited ... Last year was an incredible one for me. I discovered a wonderful team, one that was really passionate for a new driver. This year is an important one due to the new technical regulations which means drivers will have to adapt to a new style, such as the reintroduction of Kers [the kinetic energy recovery system].
"This car is the fruit of many months of hard work from the people at Ferrari. Now we have to commit completely to what we do and we are ready, we are up for the challenge."
After finishing as runner-up in the championship last season, the 29-year-old Spaniard is convinced he is better equipped for the fight ahead. "I know the team better now," he said. "I know the names of the mechanics, which I didn't last year which was not easy for me, but I'm now far more integrated within the team. I feel it will be easier for me to adapt to the new car."
His team-mate Massa, whose 2010 campaign petered out after the team-orders furore at the German grand prix, insists he is determined to prove his worth to the marque. Ahead of his sixth season with Ferrari, the Brazilian said: "I still have many years ahead of me, I'm really motivated and excited. I've followed the development of the car up until now, and I am really eager to start the new year. There are a lot of things to learn as quickly as possible, and I really hope this new car will live and grow as quickly as possible.
"Working on a car is not a simple task, but with the strength and work of our engineers and mechanics, I think it will be easy for me to learn all the new rules and have good results this season."
The team principal, Stefano Domenicali, appreciating the rollercoaster nature of last year, has no doubts his team can go a step further this time. "Launching a new car, be it a road car, a GT car, or a race car like this, is a very important moment," he said. "It's important because it means the work of the whole team is realised. Last season we had difficult and beautiful moments, and we want to build on those beautiful moments.
"Our two drivers are a wonderful team and they want to prove their value. The F150 was created on substantially different technical regulations, but it is important we start on reliability.
"This car is the first step towards that because the car you will see in Bahrain will be completely different from the one you see in the first test week in Valencia. We really want to be successful, and we are more motivated than we have been in the past."

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