Gallery: the Ferrari SF70H, Scuderia's 2017 Formula One car

In 2016, Ferrari finished third in the Constructors’s Championship. This brand new SF70H – the Scuderia’s 63rd single-seater Formula One car – is gunning for number one.

Though it’ll have stiff competition in the form of pre-season favourite Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari tell us it has made plenty of changes to ensure both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen (who finished 4th and 6th respectively in the Drivers’ Championship in 2016) have more than a fighting chance.

So they’ll be faster. Good. The SF70H gets a longer nose and a new arrow-shaped rear wing – a consequence of said regulations – while the engine cover gets a new fin, too.

There are complicated aero appendages ahead of the air intakes on the sidepods, which were worked on in “harmony” with the front crash structure. You’ll also spot the new front duct, while the roll-hoop behind the driver was also completely redesigned.

And while the suspension on the carbonfibre chassis retains the familiar push-rod front, pull-rod rear setup, the hubs and wheel nuts have been redesigned to help the mechanics during those frantic pit stops.

About that extra grip – Ferrari have “upsized” (read: beefed up) the power steering and Brembo brake systems, to better cope with the additional forces. Remember, those new Pirelli tyres are 6cm wider at the front, and 8cm wider at the rear. 

Though the focus has been on aero and grip, Ferrari have taken the opportunity to tweak the 90-degree, turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 engine, too: this year allows 105kg of fuel as opposed to 100kg (more time per lap spent on full attack mode), and Ferrari have changed the layout of some of the hybrid components. Speaking of weight, the whole thing - with fluids and a Sebastian Vettel/Kimi Raikkonen fitted - clocks in at 728kg.

We’re promised this 062 engine “is a definite step forward compared to its predecessor”. A step forward enough to challenge Mercedes-AMG’s all-conquering unit? Only time will tell...

“Generally in the past,” explains Ferrari, “regulations went in the direction of slowing down the cars. However this year, the rule changes go in the opposite direction, meaning the cars have more aerodynamic downforce and more mechanical grip."

Read on for the full technical breakdown of the new SF70H...

Engine

Capacity: 1600cc
Max revs: 15,000rpm
Fuel flow: 100kg/hr max
Fuel capacity: 105kg
Bore: 80mm
Stroke: 53mm
Valves: four per cylinder
Injection: 500 bar, direct injection

ERS System

Battery energy (per lap): 4MJ
MGU-K Power: 120kW
MGU-K Max revs: 50,000rpm
MGU-H Max revs: 125,000rpm