Ferrari 248 F1

Scuderia Ferrari in January 2006 unveiled its 2006 Formula 1 title challenger, naming it the 248 F1, after it's 2.4 litre V8 engine. The name breaks the F200x tradition (F2001 in 2001 to F2005 in 2005) and goes back to an older naming system that has brought Ferrari multiple championship victories in the 1950's and 1960's. Ferrari hope that by changing the naming system to an older successful one, they will be able to regain the title that the F2005 failed to win in 2005. The 248 model will be driven by seven time world champion Michael Schumacher and Brazilian Felipe Massa who is new to the team after having replaced countryman Rubens Barrichello who departed at the conclusion of 2005 to Honda F1.

Some notable features of the new model are the rear view mirrors, which are now mounted on the sidepods of the car rather than the nose of the car and new sponsor decals such as Martini. The car is also the first Ferrari since the F2001 to be without the number one. This honour will grace the R26, Renault F1's latest championship contender after Fernando Alonso successfully gained the world championship crown in 2005.