World Champion Kimi Raikkonen took the new Ferrari out for its inaugural spin around the Fiorano track on Monday but bad weather kept him from giving it a real test.
The car, code-named 659, was officially unveiled at Ferrari headquarters on Sunday and those present remarked how its 'face' resembled that of a red, hammerhead shark.
Because Formula 1 regulations for 2008 have eliminated traction control devices on all cars, Raikkonen took it easy on the wet and slippery track but still gave a thrill to the hundreds of fans who braved the cold and damp to watch the 659's debut.
Raikkonen completed some 20 laps under the watchful eye of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who has remained as a consultant for Ferrari after retiring at the end of the 2006 season.
Also on hand was Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo who told the press: ''We have only one goal this season - to win our eighth constructors' title in ten years. All things considered, this sounds a lot better than seven out of the last nine, which is what we said at the end of last season''.
Montezemolo added that this season's target also included one of its drivers again taking home the drivers' title in order to keep the number 1 on the car's nose.
A second 659, also known as the F2008, will be ready later this month to allow Raikkonen's teammate Felipe Massa a chance to get a feel of the car during tests in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Aside from eliminating traction control, all cars this year will be equipped with a standard electronic control unit (SECU) which has been developed by the McLaren team.
''We would have preferred a standard unit being supplied by another team. But McLaren and Microsoft proposed the best economic solution and we have to accept it,'' observed Ferrari CEO Jean Todt
''It's obvious that, at least in the beginning, McLaren will have an edge over the others,'' he added.
McLaren last year was caught up in an industrial spying case involving stolen Ferrari technical information which dashed the English team's hopes for a championship win.
Development of the SECU, which includes a single control unit and software system, ends as soon as the Formula 1 season begins.
Other changes this year include the obligation to use the same gearbox for four consecutive races and a limit on the type of composites which can be used in constructing the car.
The modifications resulted in additional weight for the vehicle, a factor which Ferrari technicians compensated for through aerodynamic changes.
''All the aerodynamic surfaces have been completely updated. The body is more concave and the engine cover has a different profile to improve efficiency and resolve some problems we had on some circuits,'' said Ferrari technical director Aldo Costa.
''We've been working a lot on the gearbox and changed its size to improve its lifetime. We've also worked on the suspension to improve the reliability of the whole car,'' he added.
''The team has done some fantastic work and we managed to find further solutions. Without judging the others, I have to say that our car has many hidden features, which we hope will pay off in terms of reliability and performance,'' Costa concluded.
