Defending champions Ferrari have unveiled their 2009 challenger to the media, ditching the recent numbering system, the new 2009 Ferrari has been dubbed the F60, the 60th year of Formula One competition for the team, and was shortly afterwards shaken down by Felipe Massa at the team’s test track.

The car, initially dubbed the 660 during the design process, conforms to the 2009 regulations and features numerous innovations.

Team boss Stefano Domenicali explained the designated name for the new car, “We wanted a way to recognise the fact that the history… that Ferrari has always been connected in the presence of Formula One. So this is the 60th championship of the F1 and this is the 60th time that Ferrari is here in Formula One.”

As far as aerodynamics are concerned the modifications are a result of the Overtaking Working Group set up by the FIA in collaboration with the teams to produce a set of rules aimed at encouraging more overtaking.

The front wing has been developed mainly on its side elements and is now much wider than the past designs, the rear wing is higher and narrower and the diffuser has been moved rearward.

The new rules regarding aerodynamics have also led to modifications to the suspension and the whole layout of the car has been redesigned in light of the new rules and to achieve a balanced weight distribution.

Honda have said today that the company have been forced to cancel the next-generation NSX because of the global economic conditions. The announcement was made during a speech outlining the carmaker’s revised economic forecast.

News has also been reported that the firm would not be bringing the Acura brand to Japan. ‘The situation is worsening by the day, and there is no prospect for recovery, is our understanding,’ Reporters were told. The NSX was expected to be a V10 sports car and it is reported that the car was almost production ready.

The project had encountered a number of problems but these problems had been overcome and it was in the late stages of development.

The Honda boss had previously told Autocar at the end of last year that the new NSX is ‘necessary for Honda’. The company reportedly indicated its operating profits will be 180 billion yen ($2 billion), down 67% from the forecasted 550 billion yen.

Honda is another manufacturer which has recently pulled out of motor sport to save money, as the firm pulled out of F1 as they were struggling with the costs of the expensive sport, the company had spent an estimated £300 million on F1 each year and in the current economic climate have decided it can no longer take part in the expensive sport.