Ferrari has unveiled their car for the 2021 Formula One season with a “last-minute” addition of a green logo, dividing the opinion of fans of the elite motorsport team.
The Italian manufacturer's SF21 car was revealed earlier in the week ahead of the start of F1's pre-season testing which has begun today in Bahrain.
But fans took to social media to complain regarding the addition of a bright green Mission Window logo on the SF21's engine cover, with some Twitter users going as far as to brand the car as “the worst looking on the grid.”
One unhappy fan wrote: “Somehow they've messed up their classic livery, looks like someone vomited on the engine cover,” whilst another said: “The fat nose with the green makes it the worst looking car on the grid in my opinion.”
Ferrari's team drivers Charles Leclerc and new addition Carlos Sainz were interviewed in a reveal video, saying that the green logo was a “last-minute addition”, appearing “one week or so ago” on the SF21.
“We didn't expect the green,” Sainz said in the reveal video posted online.
“It was a last-minute change. I have to say I'm getting used to it, seeing it on the car,” Leclerc added.
But if last season is anything to go by, the aesthetic of the SF21 is the last issue the team will be concerned with and will have their hopes pinned on a massive performance upgrade thanks to the SF21's brand new power unit, especially when it comes to competing with straight-line speed against the likes of Mercedes, Red Bull, Aston Martin and McLaren.
With regards to the new car and new season, Team Principal Mattia Binotto said: “After a difficult season last year, we know that we have to come good in this championship and it will be important to demonstrate our will to win, even though we know this will be a transition year, partly because the regulations do not allow us to substantially change the car and we will simply bring an evolution to the track.
“We have identified what were the problems with the SF1000 and we have improved the car in all the areas allowed by the regulations.
“We have a new engine, revised aerodynamics and a modified rear end. We want to do well and can't wait to take to the track and go up against our competition, to check how good a job we have done,” Binotto added.
Spaniard Sainz has replaced the four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel for the 2021 season, joining from McLaren and Binotto is adamant that the young pairing of Leclerc (23) and Sainz (26) can benefit the Italian team.
“They are young and similar in certain respects and I think they are very strong,” Binotto said.
“I know they can't wait to go head to head on track, but I know they are both aware that, first and foremost comes Ferrari and its interests and so there is no hierarchy.
“If we were to be clever enough to become the dominant force in Formula 1, then maybe we can start to make certain assessments. But for the moment, there is no room for this sort of discussion. First we need to catch up with our competitors,” he added.
Keyword: Ferrari unveils new car for 2021 Formula One season with unexpected green logo addition