Ferrari unveiled its new car for the upcoming Formula One season yesterday, and Fernando Alonso said he’s hopeful it will help him make amends for the disappointing end to the 2010 championship.

The Italian team is the first F1 outfit to show off its 2011 car, naming it the F150 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification.

The car features a new adjustable rear wing and has been modified for the use of the KERS system, which was banned last year but returns in 2011.

“F150 was created with a simple aim,” Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said. “Our goal is to win the championships. We know it won’t be easy, but that is definitely what we are aiming for.”

Alonso came agonisingly close to achieving that aim last year, when he had a chance to clinch the title at each of the last two races. But he first failed in Brazil and was then overtaken by Sebastian Vettel after a failed pit stop strategy by Ferrari in Abu Dhabi.

Going into his second season with Ferrari, the two-time F1 champion said he’s feeling more comfortable with his surroundings.

“I think I know the team better now and I feel far more integrated into the team,” Alonso said. “The development through 2010 was crucial to the new car.

“I’m feeling very motivated. 2010 was an interesting year for me. It was my first with Ferrari and I enjoyed the atmosphere. 2011 will be an important year with a new challenge after changes to the rules. We have to commit to everything we do and I think we are up to the challenge.”

Ferrari finished the constructors championship in third place behind Red Bull and McLaren. It was also embroiled in controversy when it was accused of using team orders during the German Grand Prix.

The team was fined $100,000 after an official was heard telling Felipe Massa – who was leading the race ahead of Alonso – that his teammate had the fastest car. That was interpreted as an order to let Alonso pass, since he had a better chance to win the championship title.

Massa is going into his sixth season for Ferrari, but hasn’t won a Grand Prix since 2008.

“Our two drivers are a good team and want to prove their worth,” Domenicali said. “This year will be as difficult as 2010 if not more because I expect more teams to challenge in more races and I certainly believe that the title will come down to the last lap of the last race.”

Ferrari has not won a drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen won the 2007 championship. The last constructors title came in 2008.

“We have two drivers who do not want to lose a championship in the very last race, as Felipe did in 2008 and again last year with Fernando,” Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo said. “We really want to be successful and we are even more motivated than we have been in the past.

“It is not about obligations, it is about objectives and I would say this is my and the whole team’s objective.”

Massa came second to Lewis Hamilton in 2008, but has lacked form since a life threatening accident during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.

“You always feel pressure when you race for Ferrari, but I will feel it more because last year was a difficult one,” Massa said. “It is always important to feel excited at the start of a new year and so I would like to start it well with positive results.”

The Formula One season begins on March 13 in Bahrain and concludes after 20 races on Nov. 27 in Brazil.