F1: Ferrari launch their title hopeful

SF-16H will look to bring to an end two unprecedented years of Mercedes dominance.

This handout picture released on February 19, 2016 by the Ferrari press office shows the new Formula 1 of the team Ferrari, the SF16-H (H for hybrid) presented today on internet. The car with which Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will fly the Scuderia Ferrari flag in this years Formula 1 World Championship is called SF16-H. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / FERRARI PRESS OFFICE” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS / AFP / FERRARI PRESS OFFICE / – / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / FERRARI PRESS OFFICE” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

ROME, Feb 19, 2016 (AFP) – Ferrari became the latest Formula One team to unveil their new car, the SF-16H, for the 2016 season as they look to push Mercedes for the constructors’ championship.

The Italian team launched the car via a live stream on their website on Friday, with team principal Maurizio Arrivabene and drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen part of the unveiling.

Mercedes have dominated the last two years in F1, with Lewis Hamilton winning his second and third drivers’ titles, but Ferrari closed the gap last season as four-time world champion Vettel claimed three Grand Prix victories.

Ferrari, who have won 16 constructors’ titles, finished a disappointing fourth in 2014, and former team principal Stefano Domenicali was replaced by Arrivabene as a result.

The team were 275 points behind Mercedes in second place last year, but still managed 216 points more than the previous season.

Arrivabene wants to see further progress, and more lasting title challenges.

“I think this year, we need to push a bit more. We would like to fight until the end for the championship,” he said.

“I know that is not going to be easy, because our competitors are not sleeping, but we are committed to do our best.”

The SF-16H features more white than in recent years, and also has a shorter nose.

The engine cover seems slimmer, suggesting that Ferrari have been working on engine cooling over the winter.

: epa05170319 A handout picture provided by the Ferrari Press Office on 19 February 2016 of Formula One Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel during the Scuderia Ferrari’s new Formula One car ‘SF16-H’ for the upcoming 2016 Formula One World Championship presented in Maranello, Italy, on 19 February 2016. EPA/FERRARI PRESS OFFICE/COLOMBO HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

: epa05170316 A handout picture provided by the Ferrari Press Office on 19 February 2016 of Formula One Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen during the Scuderia Ferrari’s new Formula One car ‘SF16-H’ for the upcoming 2016 Formula One World Championship presented in Maranello, Italy, on 19 February 2016. EPA/FERRARI PRESS OFFICE/COLOMBO HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

: This handout picture released on February 19, 2016 by the Ferrari press office shows the new Formula 1 of the team Ferrari, the SF16-H (H for hybrid) presented today on internet. The car with which Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will fly the Scuderia Ferrari flag in this years Formula 1 World Championship is called SF16-H. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / FERRARI PRESS OFFICE” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
/ AFP / FERRARI PRESS OFFICE / – / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / FERRARI PRESS OFFICE” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

: epa05170320 A handout picture provided by the Ferrari Press Office on 19 February 2016 shows Scuderia Ferrari’s new Formula One car ‘SF16-H’ for the upcoming 2016 Formula One World Championship presented in Maranello, Italy. EPA/FERRARI PRESS OFFICE/COLOMBO HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

: epa05170317 A handout picture provided by the Ferrari Press Office on 19 February 2016 shows Scuderia Ferrari’s new Formula One car ‘SF16-H’ for the upcoming 2016 Formula One World Championship presented in Maranello, Italy. EPA/FERRARI PRESS OFFICE/COLOMBO HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES