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Scuderia Ferrari unveiled its 2005 car, the F2005, today in Maranello. As it did in 2002 and 2003, the squad won’t debut the new challenger at the first round of the season, preferring to improve its reliability until it goes racing for the first time at the Spanish GP in May.

The new car’s most notable aspect is a second auxiliary front wing, already dubbed a “chin wing.” The team had experimented with the concept during this preseason’s winter testing. The F2005's chassis is also lighter, despite having to meet more stringent crash tests, and the shape of the chassis has been thoroughly revised, with modifications to the opening of the sidepods and the area around the turning vanes, the sidepods accommodating a new cooling system.

Technical director Ross Brawn defined Maranello’s confidence levels on its latest creation: “It is the best car we have ever produced,” he said of the Aldo Costa-penned machine.

“The areas directly affected by the new regulations, like wings and diffuser, are obviously all new but even radiator, exhaust and gearbox layouts have been fundamentally revised to optimise the aerodynamics," continued Brawn.

“In addition, there are several development items planned to be introduced during testing in the next month so when it first races it will look differently in some areas to the car you see here,” he revealed.

A second unique feature is yet another extra wing, added to the engine cover near the roll hoop - reminiscent of the new McLaren’s “horns”. An all-new, smaller gearbox made of titanium and carbon-fiber meant a complete redesign of the car’s rear underbody was necessary.

Engine-wise, the 055 unit is dubbed as all-new, but much of its internals are derived from the current 053 mill which will power Ferrari’s F2004Ms in the first four GPs of 2005.

The F2005 will shoot for an unprecedented seventh consecutive Constructors' title in a row this season, with Michael Schumacher gunning for a sixth straight Drivers’ championship.

Testing of the new challenger will kick off next week with Luca Badoer at the wheel, with drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello not trying it out until after the Malaysian GP.

Engine-wise, the 055 unit is dubbed as all-new, but much of its internals are derived from the current 053 mill which will power Ferrari’s F2004Ms in the first four GPs of 2005.

The F2005 will shoot for an unprecedented seventh consecutive Constructors' title in a row this season, with Michael Schumacher gunning for a sixth straight Drivers’ championship.

Testing of the new challenger will kick off next week with Luca Badoer at the wheel, with drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello not trying it out until after the Malaysian GP.

All you need to know about Ferrari's latest F1 car, the F2005...

Chassis

Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure

Ferrari longitudinal gearbox limited-slip differential

Semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox

Number of gears: 7 + reverse

Ventilated carbon-fibre disc brakes

Independent suspension, push-rod activated torsion springs front and rear

Length: 4545 mm

Width: 1796 mm

Height: 959 mm

Wheelbase: 3050 mm

Front track: 1470 mm

Rear track: 1405 mm

Weight with water, lubricant and driver: 605 kg

Wheels (front and rear): 13"

Engine

Type: 055

Number of cylinders: V 10

Cylinder block in cast aluminium

Number of valves: 40

Pneumatic distribution

Total displacement: 2997 cm3

Magneti Marelli digital electronic injection

Magneti Marelli static electronic ignition