Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali has admitted that the F2012 is "not really so pretty" - but has insisted that aesthetics won't matter if it proves a winner.
Team boss defends controversial new design
Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali has admitted that the F2012 is "not really so pretty" - but has insisted that won't matter if it proves a winner rather than a looker.
A radically-different design compared to its predecessors, the new Ferrari features a distinctive - some would say 'ugly' - platypus' nose and the reaction to its unveiling has been dominated by aesthetic concerns rather than debate about its potential competitiveness.
"Actually it's not really so pretty from my personal perspective, but this is a value that doesn't count in F1," declared a defiant Domenicali.
"These choices are from both technical regulation constraints and the choices to try to maximise the performance of the car. The fact that it's ugly or very nice doesn't count a lot, the most important thing is the car has to be performing."
Intriguingly, the team have also confirmed that their new charger - which will make its track debut next week in Jerez - would "undergo a very intensive development programme over the first part of the season, especially on the aerodynamic front".
With Ferrari intent on making an aggressive start to the new season, a bullish Domenicali is predicting that the team's new creation will propel Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa to victory in Melbourne.
"I am sure our car will be winning right from the beginning," he maintained. "We have learned many lessons from the past and taken some difficult decisions. But I am sure all our efforts will be represented with this car.
"From a technical point of view, we have many novelties in terms of mechanics and also the shape of the car. We wanted continuity here, and hopefully we will reach the right performance."
