Ferrari fire up all-new power unit and confirm launch date for ‘improved’ 2021 car

Ferrari have completed the fire up of the all-new power unit set to run in their SF21 chassis this year, the unit roaring into life at the team’s Gestione Sportiva facility in Maranello.

The power unit will also feature in the cars of both Haas and Alfa Romeo, with Ferrari having opted to create an all-new unit following a trying season in 2020, which saw Ferrari themselves take sixth in the constructors’ standings – their worst finish since 1980.

DIARY DATES: The 2021 F1 calendar, pre-season testing details and F1 car launch schedule

Meanwhile Ferrari also confirmed the dates for both the team launch and the launch of the SF21 itself, due to take place on February 26 and March 10 respectively.

“Our 2021 season starts here”, Team Principal Mattia Binotto told the assembled Ferrari workers at the factory. “We can expect plenty of challenges along the way and we are determined to do better.

“The car has been improved in all areas where developments are permitted. We must work in a determined and focused way, aware of where we were and where we want to go.”

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Ferrari will also field a new driver line-up in 2021, with Carlos Sainz moving over from McLaren to partner incumbent driver Charles Leclerc – with Sainz having tried a 2018-spec Ferrari SF71H on January 27.