Ferrari F2001 launch: Our best ever, says Brawn

Speaking at today's (Monday's) Maranello launch, the Englishman said the car set new standards for Ferrari and was the result of a stable and highly-motivated workforce.

Following a theme for the launch, Brawn said: "The Ferrari team is getting even more motivated. The group we have here is getting stronger and the stability of our staff helps immensely. As a result, this is the best Ferrari we've ever created.

"People have asked Ferrari if we've taken a rest after winning, but I've observed our staff and seen their enthusiasm. We'll never give up trying to win."

The F2001 is visually similar to its double title-winning predecessor, the F1-2000, but the team says it has worked hard on a number of areas it targeted for improvement.

The suspension has been heavily-revised to make it more user-friendly to its Bridgestone rubber - something the team hopes will allow it the flexibility in choosing compounds that McLaren enjoyed with its MP4-15.

The car was launched with Ferrari's latest evolution of its V10, the 050. Once again, the car will use a seven-speed gearbox and will retain the periscope exhausts seen on the F1-2000.

The car has been designed for 2001's more stringent crash test regulations and the revised aerodynamic regulations, which include the front wing set 50mm higher and a rear wing limited to just three separate sections.

The car's nose is lower and sharper than its predecessor and the airbox is less angular than on last year's car.

Ferrari showed the car with a uniform height front wing, but sources say a definitive front wing, with the increasingly de rigeur lowered centre section, is ready to run when testing begins in earnest.