Present since the beginnings of Formula One, Ferrari presented Tuesday in Reggio Emilia (northern Italy) its new single-seater, the SF1000, as the number of Grand Prix contested that will reach this season the Italian team. “It is a very special year. These are the 70 years of F1, we have been there from the start and we are going to reach the figure of 1000 Grands Prix, which is something incredible, "said Mattia Binotto, the" main team "of the team. .
2020. New decade, same goal.
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For the occasion, the Scuderia has broken with its habits and presented its new racing car outside of its stronghold of Maranello, on the stage of the Romolo Valli theater in Reggio Emilia. “It is a very important place for our country. It was in this city that the tricolor, which became that of Italy, was created. And Ferrari is proud of Italy and of representing Italy, "said John Elkann, president of the Ferrari group.
Narrower than last season's SF90, also deeper red, the SF1000 should allow Scuderia to believe in a title that has eluded it for a long time, 12 years for pilots and 11 for manufacturers. "Maybe it looks a lot like the SF90, but I can assure you it is very different," said Binotto. "We still have to make progress, especially on reliability," he added, recalling that Ferrari, like the other teams, had to face "the double challenge" of preparing the next season in parallel but also the next one, which will see the entry into force of a new regulation.
Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc impatient
The two drivers of the team, the German Sebastian Vettel and the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, for their part said their impatience to drive their new car, which will be on track next week for the pre-season tests in Barcelona. The first Grand Prix of the season will take place on March 15 in Australia.
"I love her so much. It is much narrower at the rear than last year and it is also redder, which is even better. I can't wait to drive it, it's even more fascinating than watching it, "said Vettel, quadruple world champion with Red Bull and twice runner-up with Ferrari, whom he joined in 2015." Now I know the team, the car, the people, "said Leclerc, author of spectacular starts for the nose-up firm last season (two wins and 4th in the world championship) and extended during the winter until 2024. “It's going to be a great challenge. I'm ready to learn from my mistakes to become an even better driver, ”he added.
Last season, the association between the experienced German, 32, and the young Monegasque, 22, had turned into a duel, which had reached its climax when the two pilots collided during the Brazilian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc had dominated his teammate with 264 points, against 240 for Sebastian Vettel.
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