F1 rivals reveal cars

07th January 2008

World Champion Ferrari has set out its stall for the 2008 F1 season. These are the first pictures of the Italian outfit’s new Grand Prix weapon, which is called the F2008.

The striking looking car is radically different from last year’s Championship winning design as Director of Operations Aldo Costa explained: “For the F2008 we mainly worked on the aerodynamics, which are completely different to the ones from the season 2007. All the aerodynamic surfaces have been completely updated.”

The driver line-up remains unchanged, with Finn Kimi Raikkonen out to defend his driver’s crown. In the second Ferrari will be Brazilian star Felipe Massa, now in his third season with the team.

Meanwhile, arch rival McLaren Mercedes also unveiled its 2008 car today. After a disasterous 2007 - during which it was accused of spying, was fined 0 million and lost all its points - the team is hoping to bounce back this year with the all-new MP4-23.

However, one positive for the team was the brilliant performance of rookie Lewis Hamilton. This year he will be joined by another rising star, Heikki Kovalainen. The young Finn arrives from Renault, where he is replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.