/ 28 January 2010

Alonso has high hopes as Ferrari launch new car

New arrival Fernando Alonso said he was confident Ferrari have the machinery to challenge for this year’s Formula One title at the presentation of the team’s new car, the F10, on Thursday.

“It’s very exciting. I want to thank the whole team for the great job they have done over the last few months to build this dream, this new car,” Spain’s twice world champion said at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters.

“We are ready to assume the responsibility on the track of taking it to 100 percent of its capabilities.

“I think with Felipe [Massa] we’ll be a very strong team. We hope to make all the Ferrari fans around the world proud to see the red colours win again.”

The Italian glamour team are hoping the F10 is a big improvement on last year’s car, the F60, which was outdone by Red Bull and eventual champions Brawn GP, who have been bought by Mercedes.

The most obvious of the many changes is that the car is longer than the F60 to accommodate a fuel tank that is twice as big — a move made necessary by this season’s ban on refuelling. The nose is slender and set high while Ferrari experts said the rear types are 30mm narrower. — AFP