Tech boss predicts close racing

The car has spent more than 300 hours in a wind tunnel during its development and series technical director John Travis believes they have created a car that will encourage overtaking opportunities.

"The effort of the design team has been to provide a good level of downforce but without the normal penalties," he said. "This will make for much closer racing, particularly in the corners, as cars will be able to run together.

"To ensure the close and exciting racing the series is famous for, we have spent in excess of 300 hours in the wind tunnel and have tried hundreds of different aerodynamic variations."

Testing of the new car has continued at Paul Ricard with Andrea Bertolini covering 400km in a single day, before moving on to Magny-Cours with Patrick Friesacher behind the wheel.

The car has now covered over 5500km ahead of the first race of the new season at Mugello next month.