According to reports from Italy, the new Ferrari 2012 Formula One challenger has passed the mandatory FIA crash tests at the second attempt, as team bosses suggest that their latest car is a particularly unattractive one.
Early reports from last week claimed that the new car, codenamed the 663 ahead of its official pre-season launch, had failed the FIA crash tests.
But new reports from Italy have now claimed that the car has successfully come through the tests at the second attempt, after the Italian team made reinforcements to the sides of the car.
For 2012, teams must get their new machines past the strict FIA tests before the start of pre-season testing, rather than the start of the racing itself.
And with the team now having passed the checks, Ferrari will be able to take part in the first pre-season test early next month.
Meanwhile, comments from Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali have hinted that the 663, whatever it ends up being called, will not be an attractive car.
"It's not that pretty, because the shape defined by the technical regulations does not leave much scope," he was quoted as saying last week.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo added: "I'd like it to look lousy.
"I say that provocatively because I want it to be a winner, reliable but also 'simpatico' in the sense that it knows how to win with a smile."
The aesthetically-questionable area is thought to be around the car's nose, with the FIA having mandated lower noses to improve driver safety.
The knock-on effect of that is believed to be a 'bump' in the nose, designed to maximise aerodynamic performance while still meeting the FIA's new rules.
Ferrari's new car will be unveiled on February 3rd.
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