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Ferrari hope the new design will return the title [AFP]
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Ferrari unveiled its 2009 Formula One race car, getting a jump on its rivals in the hope it can reclaim the driver's title that Felipe Massa lost to Lewis Hamilton in the final race of last season.
The car, named the F60 for Ferrari's 60th year in F1, was tested for the first time Monday by Massa on the Mugello track.
Usually the team debuts its new cars on its home track in Fiorano, but snowy conditions forced a change this year.
Massa lost the 2008 championship by one point to Hamilton, although Ferrari did win its second consecutive constructor's championship, and eighth in the past 10 years.
The F60 is Ferrari's 55th F1 car since joining the sport in 1950.
In line with new rules agreed on by the teams to enable more passing, some of the biggest modifications to the car are in aerodynamics.
The front wings are wider than before, while the rear wings are higher and narrower.
Surprise
Massa said he was "a little surprised'' by the size of the new car.
"I expected it to be really big, with the huge (front) wings like they were 10 years ago, but it's small, a little like a Formula 3 car,'' he said.
The car also features a kinetic energy recovery, or KERS, system.
This allows a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions without affecting performance, and the transmission was redesigned to take advantage of the new aerodynamics.
"This year is particular in that everything is new, different and more complicated,'' team director Stefano Domenicali said.
"Ferrari is the only team that has taken part in all 60 championships, which we celebrate with the F60's name. For us F1 is life. The goal is to remain at the top.''
Massa completed four laps in the morning, driving with caution.
"Now we're going to study the responses and eventual problems of (a new car), then we will resume the test according to the schedule,'' Domenicali said.
New rules
Domenicali also touched on new rules that restrict teams to eight engines this season, and the requirement that each one lasts at least three races.
"We could use one (engine) Friday and change it Saturday and then use a third one Sunday,'' he said.
"We still have to define the penalty if a ninth engine is needed.''
Domenicali rejected speculation that Ferrari would supply engines to the Honda team, which is looking for a new owner.
"The possibility is near to 0 percent,'' he said.
Ferrari will hold its annual winter retreat in Madonna Di Campiglio later this week.
The first official tests of the new car are slated for Portimao, Portugal, with the other teams on January 19-22.
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