Ferrari’s 2018 F1 car roars into life

Ferrari has released a teaser video of its new 2018 Formula 1 car firing up for the first time as it boosts anticipation ahead of its launch.

The Italian manufacturer, who finished runner-up in both the F1 world drivers’ and constructors’ championships last year, is eager to continue its upward momentum for the 2018 in the hunt for a first world title since 2008.

Following a similar teaser video released by Mercedes last week, Ferrari has produced a video of its currently unnamed 2018 F1 car’s engine starting up for the first time. Ferrari were the first team to announce its 2018 team launch date which is scheduled as an online launch at Maranello on February 22 – the same day as Mercedes reveals its own F1 car at Silverstone.

Ferrari will complete filming laps and a shakedown test at its private tack Fiorano before travelling to Circuit de Catalunya for the two pre-season tests. Ferrari is rumoured to have booked the circuit on February 25 – the day before the opening day of testing – for additional filming laps before the season begins.

The Italian squad heads into 2018 with an unchanged driver line-up of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen as it looks to maintain its promising start under last year’s technical regulations shake-up which saw Vettel lead the F1 drivers’ standings for the opening 12 rounds before being reeled in by Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton.

Currently, Ferrari will be the fourth F1 team to unveil its 2018 challenger – all equipped with the new Halo safety cockpit protector – with Williams kicking off the team launches on February 15.

After the second F1 pre-season test concludes in Spain on March 9 all teams will have two weeks to prepare for the 2018 season opener in Australia at Albert Park on March 23-25.

Fire it up #ForzaFerrari pic.twitter.com/CFQasnu2b8

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 9, 2018