Ferrari has become the first team to pass the required FIA frontal crash tests with their 2018 car after conducting them in an FIA-approved facility in Italy late last week.

The news came just a few days after the Scuderia also would be the first to announce the launch date of their new car, currently being developed under the code name of 669 at Maranello, which will be online on February 22nd.

The issue of frontal testing has become more important in recent years with teams pushing the design of the noses to improve aerodynamic performance, indeed, the FIA opted to change the regulation which meant all cars had to pass the mandatory test before being allowed to run on a track.

These tests, however, don't include the Halo, with the mountings of the new cockpit device also needing to pass loading tests set out by the governing body before being declared legal and Ferrari is also reportedly ensuring the suspension on the 2018 car meets a new technical directive put out by Race Director Charlie Whiting before Christmas.