Ferrari unveiled their 2010 challenger to the world today. The Maranello based outfit were the first of all the teams to launch their car for the 2010 Formula1 season.

After a dismal 2009 season Ferrari are keen to re-invent their image to their previous Glory. The new Ferrari F10 is the product of many months of development due to Ferrari’s decision to focus most of their energy developing the F10 only part way into the 2009 season due to their lack of success with the F60 (their 2009 contender).

A noticable difference between the F10 and last years F60 is that the 2010 car has a much longer wheel base, this is of course to accomodate the larger fuel tank. The F10 also has a narrower nose and the sidepods are also smaller on the F10 compared to last years car. The F10 is also sporting the new 2010 specification Bridgestone tyres which are narrower then last years. Ferrari have used a very similar nose on the F10 to RedBull’s 2009 contender that came close to winning last years championship.

The previously red front and rear wings that we have been used to seeing for many years now as part of Ferrari’s livery have been painted white with the red Santander logo popping out of the white background.

Ferrari have completely re-invented their image with a new driver line-up, new sponsors and a new outlook on Formula1. The team clearly wants to succeed this year and they are determined to restore their image as being ‘the’ team to beat in Formula1. Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo described Ferrari as a ‘renewed team’ with new members comming in to re-invigorate the team. “This championship will be very important for us,” he stated. “The last championship, for different reasons, was not very positive, that is why we are dealing with this one looking to be competitive – and this is what Ferrari deserves to have.”

Luca went on to state that the team was in a way having “two new drivers”; ”We have two new drivers, why two new drivers? Fernando Alonso, is a twice World Champion and we will say after the second one he will have a third one. He already appears among the big champions in F1, it is the right moment for him, for us, he wants to be successful and we want to repeat what the team concept is in our group…Felipe; we are talking of a new version of Felipe, but after such a dramatic Championship like last year with the accident in Hungary and such a fantastic season, Felipe has all the assets to prove that he is a very successful one, he can prove that he wants to restart his pathway that destiny interrupted it in Hungary. Good luck to both of them.”

Felipe Massa will drive the F10 at the Fiorano test track for a very brief shakedown late today which in reality will be more of a photo opportunity then a test.

The real test of the F10 will be next week when the car is sent to Spain for the first of the official 2010 pre-season tests at Valencia.

Massa will be the first man to drive the F10 at Valencia, after which he will hand the car over to Fernando Alonso for the following two days of tests.

Ferrari have also revealed the Technical specs’ of the F10, which are as follows:

Chassis
* Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
* Ferrari longitudinal gearbox
*Limited-slip differential
*Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox – quick shift
*Number of gears: 7 + Reverse
*Brembo ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes
*Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear
*Weight with water, lubricant and drive: 620kg
*BBS Wheels (front and rear): 13″
Engine
*Type: 056
*Number of cylinders: 8
*Cylinder block in sand cast aluminium: V90
*Number of valves: 32
*Pneumatic distribution
*Total disreplacement: 2398cm3
*Piston bore: 98mm
*Weight > 95kg
*Electronic injection and ignition
*Fuel: Shell V-Power
*Lubricant: Shell Helix Ultra


Here is a recorded video stream of the launch ceremony: