Anyone hoping to see a radical new Ferrari would have been disappointed. The F138 (so named in reference to 2013 and final appearance of the V8 engine) is conceptually very much a descendant of last year’s F2012 with the off-season used to hone, rather than replace, many of its components.

"The car has changed in subtle ways, some areas more than others, but in general, the F138 is a development of last year’s car."
Pat Fry

“This year’s car is more of an evolution than a revolution,” said technical director Pat Fry. It’s based on similar concepts to the F2012 and in all the little areas of performance where we think we can gain something, we have looked for those gains. The car has changed in subtle ways, some areas more than others, but in general, the F138 is a development of last year’s car.”

Alonso will not be participating in the first test of the season, instead the car will have its track debut with Felipe Massa at the wheel, with new test driver Pedro de la Rosa also having a day in Jerez.

“The first test is very useful to understand the direction in which we should go and where we need to do the most work,” said Massa.” With Ferrari admitting the launch car is still some way off the model that will race in Australia, the test drivers are likely to have a very busy month ahead.