Ferrari launch the F2003-GA

Ferrari has launched the 2003 challenger at the team's base in Maranello, Italy, and has paid tribute to the late Giovanni Agnelli by adding his initials to the new car's number. The chassis carries the title of F2003-GA in honour of Agnelli, who was grandson of the founder of FIAT and chairman of the company for thirty years.

Drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello unveiled the F2003-GA at Ferrari's new logisitcs centre, along with testers Luca Badoer and new signing Felipe Massa.

Team principal Jean Todt is cautious about predicting great things for this season but naturally wants his team to remain champions: "The F2003-GA is a beautiful car and I can't wait to see it out on the track for its first lap," he said. "I'm not saying we are going to win 15 grands prix again as that would be stupid but we do want to stay where we are. Rory Byrne said last year that last year's car was the most beautiful Ferrari since he joined in the mid-90s and I know that the whole group has made the same comments about this car."

"We have the same motivation as if we had never won before and have a real desire for more wins. Our competitors don't want to see Ferrari ahead of them but we will do everything we can to be ahead of them."

The F2003-GA is smaller than last year's car, has a new engine and gearbox and the sidepods and radiators have been redesigned. However, Ferrari still plans to start the season with the F2002 and the new chassis probably won't debut until the fourth race at the San Marino Grand Prix.

"We will start the season with the F2002 and introduce the new car after the first few races, probably at Imola," said technical director Ross Brawn, who believes the F2003-GA is the best Ferrari yet. ""Last year, I predicted that the car would be the best Ferrari ever made and that proved to be correct. We have not run the new car yet but the testing parameters have been met or exceeded so I'm very confident that the F2003 will be the best Ferrari ever."

Designer Rory Byrne explained his approach to the new car as retaining the need for optimizing performance: "As always the basic philosophy remains to optimise the aerodynamics, lower the centre of gravity and maximise tyre and engine performance. Saying that, many areas have been completely redesigned to maximise performance as many areas of the F2002 had come to the end of their development cycle."

The car has a newly designed, mechanically operated power steering system. The Ferrari 052 engine is load-bearing and mounted longitudinally and while the gearbox retains the previous mounting, it's a completely new design. Cast in titanium and with seven gears, the gearbox is electro-hydraulically operated.

The F2003-GA is due to have its maiden run at Fiorano later this month.

Car profile
Chassis: Carbon fibre and honeycombed composite materials
Engine: 052, 10-cylinder V, 40 valves, pneumatic valve drive, Magneti Marelli engine management
Capacity: 2,997 cc
Transmission: Semi-automatic, sequential, electronically- controlled
Number of gears: 7 + reverse
Suspension: Double wishbone front and rear
Brakes: Carbon discs
Length: 4545 mm
Width: 1796 mm
Height: 959 mm
Wheelbase: 3100 mm
Weight, including driver: 600 kg