Just two days before preseason testing begins, Scuderia Ferrari have unveiled their new car for the 2021 Formula 1 season. The legendary F1 racing team announced the arrival of the SF21 on Wednesday, March 10.
At first glance, fans of the motorsport will notice that the livery has undergone a slight makeover. The usual modern day red is now a darker shade, while the rear of the SF21 is the same shade of burgundy that adorned the marque’s first ever F1 car. However, the most noticeable difference is that bright green ‘Mission Winnow’ logo, which Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc claims he is sill getting used to.
Beneath the two-tone red shell, a considerably amount has been revised and upgraded. The engine has had a complete overhaul, an expensive decision to make by team boss Mattia Binotto, but a necessary one to make nevertheless. Last year, Sebastian Vettel and Leclerc fell victim to the SF1000’s drastically poor straight-line performance, so poor that the development of the SF21’s engine began in early 2020.
On the Bahrain Circuit on Thursday, March 11, the SF21 was driven on track for the first time ever by Leclerc. As per regulations, each team is permitted 100km of test driving ahead of pre-season testing to shake down, film and analyse their latest machines. On March 12, pre-season testing will officially begin.
For the 2021 F1 season, Leclerc is joined by Carlos Sainz, who replaces veteran Vettel in the second driver’s seat. The Spaniard is no rookie to racing, but has yet to win a F1 race, and will certainly be aiming to with his new team. Overall, Ferrari’s fortune is looking improved just like their car. However, all of that will truly be put to the test on March 28, when the lights go out in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
All images courtesy of @ScuderiaFerrari on Twitter
