New Ferrari set for big aero update

With the Maranello-based team's new challenger having emerged as the pace-setter in early testing, the team are already confident about their preparations for the new season.

However, a big update, including wings, bargeboards and engine cover, is planned for the Circuit de Catalunya test from February 19.

Ferrari's team manager Luca Baldisserri told Gazzetta dello Sport: "It's true that the aerodynamics used here is not the definitive one for the first GP. But, having seen the results, it's not a given that what we will try at Montmelo, in the last tests before Australia, will bring better performance."

A report in Italian magazine Autosprint has suggested that one of the new concepts that will be tried out by Ferrari is an opening on top of the nose - between where the current Fiat and Martini logos are.

Red Bull Racing technical director Geoff Willis believes the open nose concept would help improve air flow at the front of the car.

"Well, it's an interesting idea," he told Autosprint. "Its function is probably to use the central part of the front wing in a better way.

"You see, the way they're designed, the wings generate an area of very high pressure at that point. If you have an opening on the nose you can alleviate that pressure by letting the air get off upwards."