Ferrari has taken the wraps off its 2020 Formula 1 challenger, the car with which it hopes will bring to an end a 12-year wait for the title.
The new Ferrari, called the SF1000, was uncovered during an event at the Romolo Valli Municipal Theatre in Reggio Emilia on Tuesday evening.
Ferrari last year held an advantage in the power stakes but was often found lacking at circuits where there was a greater reliance on pure downforce.
An update package, introduced in Singapore, facilitated its prospects, as it now seeks to bring to an end a title drought that extends back to its most recent Constructors’ triumph in 2008.
It has finished runner-up to Mercedes across the past three years but after mounting title challenges in both 2017 and 2018 its championship charge never materialised in 2019.
Ferrari took nine pole positions last year but converted only three of them into race victories during a hot streak in September.
Reliability issues, strategic blunders and driver mistakes all cost the team opportunities, while there was a widespread acceptance that the SF90’s race pace was inferior to its qualifying speed.
Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel will continue to form Ferrari’s driver line-up.
Leclerc stepped up to a Ferrari race seat and claimed victories in Belgium and Italy, alongside a grid-best seven poles, to finish fourth in the standings.
During the off-season Ferrari secured Leclerc’s services through 2024 after signing a refreshed multi-year agreement with the Monegasque youngster.
Four-time World Champion Vettel endured another difficult season and took fifth in the standings, triumphing only in Singapore, though finished first on the road in Canada prior to a time penalty.
Vettel, who joined Ferrari in 2015, has only this year remaining on the contract renewal he signed in 2017.
Red Bull and Renault will be next to unveil their 2020 challengers.
Red Bull will carry out a shakedown at Silverstone on Wednesday while Renault will hold an event in Paris, during which renders of its RS20 will be displayed.
