Ferrari to launch new car on February 1st

January 16th, 2013 (F1plus Team).- The "scuderia" finally established February the 1st as the definite date for the release of the car that will be put in the hands of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa for the upcoming 2013 Formula 1 season.

Domenicali said during the Wrooom event that the new car, whose official name is yet to be revealed, will be launched at Maranello.

The current model is being developed at the Toyota wind tunnel in Cologne since Ferrari is updates its own facilities (wind tunnel) over the winter.

The new red car will be launched the same day Force India shows the world its, while McLaren launches the day before and Red Bull two days later.

On another note, the team from Maranello announced the hiring of the veteran Pedro de La Rosa as Development Driver.

The Spaniard has started 104 grands prix for Arrows, Jaguar, McLaren, Sauber and HRT. On top of that, he was etst drive for McLaren for eight years. Last year he raced for HRT for once the team folded, De La Rosa was out of work.

"It is amazingly motivating to be working for a team like Ferrari, not just because of what it represents in the history of Formula 1 and motoring in general, but also because it will be a completely new and very stimulating experience for me," de la Rosa said. "I really hope I can get to work as soon as possible and to help in the development of the car. I am happy to be collaborating with Fernando [Alonso] again and also to be working with Felipe [Massa]. There's not much time until Australia, but there is a lot to do and I am available to help the team from right now."

Team principal Stefano Domenicali said de la Rosa's main role would be to help the team's simulation work.

"We decided to add de la Rosa to our group of drivers mainly to strengthen one area, namely work in the simulator, which with the current regulations regarding testing, is becoming ever more important," Domenicali said.