Ferrari have revealed images of a radical Formula 1 concept car, amid the ongoing debate over how the sport’s challengers should look in future.
Under the name of Ferrari F1 concept, the rendered pictures show a design which appears to be a cross between a modern-day F1 car and a sportscar. The concept features aggressive-looking bodywork, a twin deck front wing and lower-profile tyres, akin to those run briefly by Pirelli as an experiment at a test last year.
The pictures have been released at a time when the sport’s powerbrokers are debating what changes to make to F1 cars to make them more spectacular and appealing for fans, with the aim of introducing a raft of changes for either 2016 or 2017.
Proposals on the table include a return to 1,000bhp engines and bigger tyres, while debate continues over the sport’s soundtrack following the advent of quieter hybrid power units last year.
Explaining the thinking behind the design, Ferrari said in a statement on their website: "Would it be possible to come up with an F1 car which not only is technologically advanced, but also captivating to the eye and aggressive-looking? And could this be made without having to overturn the current technical rules?
"At Ferrari, we believe so. Let us introduce you to the ‘concept design’ that was conceived by our design studio (Centro Stile Ferrari) together with the Scuderia’s aero department. Minimal changes give the car a look that is way different from what have been familiar with so far. Our challenge was to create something that was – to put it short – better looking."
Speaking last month, new Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene called on F1 to dramatically improve both the look and sound of its product.
"By 2017, I would like to see cars that win over the fans, with cars that they can get closer to and that are aesthetically more appealing, maybe even producing a noise that gets your hair standing on end, like that produced by a heavy metal band," he said.
"I don't think a simple evolution is enough in this case. Instead, a real revolution is called for with significant and radical changes.”
Although it is not yet known whether changes to improve F1's appeal will be introduced next year or the year after, McLaren chief Ron Dennis recently suggested that "dramatic" change shouldn't be rushed.
“If we’re going to change Formula 1, we should change it dramatically and therefore we should change it dramatically for 2017. Then it will be affordable,” the McLaren chairman said.
“If we dramatically try and change Formula 1 for 2016, the cost implications will be huge.”
The Sky Sports F1 Online team will be providing live commentary from all four days of both Barcelona tests. Sky Sports News HQ will also have live updates from trackside.