Ferrari Carry Burden of History and Expectation as they Unveil 2022 Car

Ferrari unveiled a stunning new car done up in a red and black livery in a throwback to the past. (Ferrari)
Ferrari unveiled a stunning new car done up in a red and black livery in a throwback to the past. (Ferrari)
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Ferrari Carry Burden of History and Expectation as they Unveil 2022 Car

Ferrari unveiled a stunning new car done up in a red and black livery in a throwback to the past. (Ferrari)
Ferrari unveiled a stunning new car done up in a red and black livery in a throwback to the past. (Ferrari)

Ferrari are aiming for a return to competitiveness in 2022, with their F1-75 challenger unveiled on Thursday carrying the weight of history and expectation for the sport's oldest and most successful team.

The Maranello-based squad have raced in every season of Formula One since the championship was founded in 1950 and have won more races and championships than anyone.

They have crowned some of the sport's greats including Juan Manuel Fangio, Alberto Ascari, Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher.

But their last champion remains now-retired Kimi Raikkonen who won the title in 2007.

Last year the team, despite bouncing back from a dismal 2020 to take third in the constructors' standings, went without a win for the second season in a row.

"Our objective for 2022 certainly is being back to being competitive and being competitive means being capable of winning races," team principal Mattia Binotto told reporters following the car's launch on Thursday.

"That's the way we see it at the moment and I think we will be pretty happy if we will be in that position."

Formula One is introducing its biggest rules shake up in decades, with cars featuring revised aerodynamics and bigger 18-inch wheels aimed at improving the racing spectacle.

The new rules could shake up the established order and Ferrari, who unveiled a stunning new car done up in a red and black livery in a throwback to the past, are clearly eyeing this season as an opportunity.

The word innovation was repeatedly used during the launch of the challenger, designated the F1-75 mark 75 years since founder Enzo Ferrari manufactured the first car to bear his name.

At the same time the new rules are a step into the unknown. But, despite the uncertainty, Binotto and the team's drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz said the team's efforts into developing the car gave them confidence.

"Of course expectations are high because we are Ferrari, we are the team that is expected to win all the time," said Leclerc heading into his fourth season as a Ferrari driver.

"What makes me confident about this year's car is the work that I've seen in the past few months.

"It's never easy to know until you're really on track for the first qualifying of the year and see the final picture.

"But the feeling is good."



Barcelona’s Pedri Puts Champions League Glory Ahead of Ballon D’Or

Pedri of Spain takes his penalty kick during the penalty shoot out of the UEFA Nations League quarter finals second leg soccer match between Spain and the Netherlands, in Valencia, Spain, 23 March 2025. (EPA)
Pedri of Spain takes his penalty kick during the penalty shoot out of the UEFA Nations League quarter finals second leg soccer match between Spain and the Netherlands, in Valencia, Spain, 23 March 2025. (EPA)
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Barcelona’s Pedri Puts Champions League Glory Ahead of Ballon D’Or

Pedri of Spain takes his penalty kick during the penalty shoot out of the UEFA Nations League quarter finals second leg soccer match between Spain and the Netherlands, in Valencia, Spain, 23 March 2025. (EPA)
Pedri of Spain takes his penalty kick during the penalty shoot out of the UEFA Nations League quarter finals second leg soccer match between Spain and the Netherlands, in Valencia, Spain, 23 March 2025. (EPA)

Barcelona midfielder Pedri said he is putting team trophies ahead of individual accolades this season and would only want to be awarded the Ballon d'Or if his side won the Champions League and completed the treble.

Barcelona are on an 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions which has taken them to the top of LaLiga, the Champions League quarter-finals and the semis of the Copa del Rey.

"I would rather win the treble than the Ballon d'Or. If the Ballon d'Or comes, I want it to come alongside the collective titles," he told local media on Monday.

"Being nominated is a dream, but winning the trophies is more important to me. We are at a time where everything is at stake. You can lose three games and be out of the three titles."

The 22-year-old said it was important to meet the challenges head on and would look forward to a Champions League final against fierce rivals Real Madrid if they both made it.

"We must continue to enjoy these matches to get the best outcome. I would certainly welcome a Champions League final against Real Madrid - it would mean we made it." he added.

"You can't be afraid of any opponent."