MARANELLO, Italy, 27 January 2004 — Ferrari unveiled its new model for the 2004 Formula One racing season yesterday, sending a message to rivals it is ready to extend its winning streak with six-time world champion Michael Schumacher at the wheel.

The F2004, labeled by team officials as the best Ferrari ever built, features new aerodynamics and a more powerful and enduring engine to meet new FIA rules providing the use of a single engine for the racing weekends.

General director Jean Todt said he expected a strong challenge from rival teams “that can no longer stand to see Ferrari in the lead.”

The Italian team, the most successful ever in Formula One, clinched its fifth consecutive world manufacturers title last year.

Meanwhile Schumacher clinched his fourth straight world title with Ferrari, adding to the two won with Benetton.

“We have great motivations and a stable, strong team to achieve good results in the upcoming season,” Todt said.

Schumacher, who last year beat the five-title record held by Argentine great Manuel Fangio, said, “I’m ready and we are ready for a new challenge and a new tough year. Competition rises every year but we are prepared to fight. I see no reason we should not be fighting for another championship in 2004,” he said.

He said he expected the toughest challenge to come from McLaren.

“However, I don’t know about Renault’s and Williams’ new cars. I’m aware things can change very quickly in Formula One,” the world champion said. His Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello said he was proud to be with Ferrari through 2006. He just extended his contract with the Italian team for two more years.

The contracts of Schumacher and of many top team officials also run through 2006. “I expect a tough, highly competitive championship, and I hope to begin the new season the way it ended last year, with a win,” Barrichello said.

The Brazilian driver won the closing championship GP in Japan, helping Schumacher clinch the world title with a two-point lead over McLaren’s Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen. “I improved as a driver and as a person at Ferrari and I’m feeling much more as a winner,” he said.

About the new Ferrari, Barrichello said “it’s an evolution from last year while the Williams model, for example, looks more as a revolution as they need to attack.”

Ferrari officials said their new car was expected to debut in the opening GP in Australia in March.

Tests will begin at the company circuit of Fiorano by this weekend, with Schumacher at the wheel.

“Everything was planned to start the new car in Australia ... competitors will determine if the new championship will be tougher (than last year),” Todt said.

The French general director underlined that the longer 18-race championship schedule, with two new circuits in Bahrein and China, may pose unexpected problems as well as the single engine rule.

The presentation ceremony, conducted by chairman and managing director Luca di Montezemolo, took place at the company headquarters in Maranello, near Modena, where Ferrari assembles its racing cars and makes luxury sports cars.