REGGIO EMILIA, Italy – Scuderia Ferrari has revealed its Formula One challenger for this year, dubbed the SF1000.
The SF1000 name recognizes the fact that Ferrari will be the first team to take part in 1,000 Formula One Grands Prix later this year. The car, built entirely in Maranello, Italy, was launched Tuesday at the Romolo Valli Municipal Theatre in the town of Reggio Emilia.
The car’s unveiling was presided over by the Scuderia’s Team Principal and Managing Director Mattia Binotto, who recalled the words of the founder, Enzo Ferrari to sum up the emotions evoked by the Maranello marque.
“Give a child a piece of paper and some crayons and ask them to draw a car and it will definitely be red,” Binotto said.
Once the covers had come off the SF1000, Binotto asked the two drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc to join him on stage. They both said they couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel of the car as the team looks to stop the Mercedes squad that has claimed the F-1 title the last six years.
The car will make its on-track debut on Feb. 19 during pre-season testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
“We are proud to represent Italy around the world,” said John Elkann, chairman of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. “Even though Ferrari has won 238 of the 991 Formula One races run to date, our thirst for victory is stronger than ever. In the coming season, we will continue to face very tough opposition, but that only serves to spur us on to do more and to do even better. What distinguishes us is the amazing collective effort of everyone in Ferrari’s Gestione Sportiva, both on and off the track. That is our strength.”