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Ferrari launch the 'sexy' SF15-T

Scuderia unveil their new 2015 challenger to be driven by Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen; Pull-rod front suspension system is retained

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Ferrari SF15-T unveiled

Ferrari have unveiled their 2015 challenger, the rather nosey but 'sexy' SF15-T.

The car's most striking features are an elongated flat nose - the longest seen on any of the 2015 cars revealed so far - and heavily-revised sidepods.

"Last year we had an ugly car and it was a non-winning car on top of this. I like the car this year in terms of the aesthetics. I don’t know about the performance, but it is really sexy,” declared new team boss Maurizio Arrivabene.

Contrary to widespread expectation, the new Ferrari continues with the pull-rod front suspension of its predecessor - Mercedes and Red Bull use a push-rod system. Although the pull-rod variation offers aerodynamic benefits, its downside is a 'sloppy' front end - a trait that neither Sebastian Vettel nor Kimi Raikkonen like.

"Ferrari have two drivers who prefer to have a sharp end and so to still have the pull-rod system is a big question to me," said Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz.

But while the SF15-T looks to be a sleek and elegant successor to the disappointing and misbehaving F14-T, perhaps its more salient detail was revealed by the team’s new chief last month when president Sergio Marchionne admitted Ferrari had “started late” on their new car.

Despite boasting what is reputed to be the largest budget in F1, Ferrari finished a distant fourth in the Constructors’ Championship last year, prompting star driver Fernando Alonso to quit the team after losing “faith” in their ability to deliver a title-challenging car.

However, the team are confident that their new challenger will produce a rapid improvement on the track in 2015.

More from 2015 Testing And Launches

"It is the second car made by Ferrari since the reintroduction of turbo engines in 2014," said the team. "The first year of these new regulations was extremely challenging for the Scuderia and the lessons learned have been applied vigorously to the SF15-T to create a car that is in every respect a large step forwards with respect to the F14-T."

Ted's Notebook

Ferrari last won a world title in 2008 and failed to win a race last season for the first time since 1993. Marchionne and  Arrivabene, appointed team principal in November, have already warned that the Scuderia are facing another “difficult” season and admitted that they would be satisfied with just two wins from the 20 races.

"We have to be realistic," cautioned Vettel. "It's important we get into the groove quickly and then start to make progress. If the situation is like last season then it will be difficult to fight for victories - but that is our goal."

The former world champion will debut the car on Sunday when the first winter test commences at Jerez in Spain.

The Sky Sports F1 Online team will be providing live commentary from all four days of testing in Jerez –  from dawn on Sunday to dusk on Wednesday. Sky Sports News HQ will also have live updates from trackside.

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