Ferrari have unveiled a racing simulator at their Maranello headquarters that took two years to build and which is said to be the most advanced of its kind in the world.

The system is housed on two floors and includes a control room - the simulator itself sitting on a platform weighing two tonnes and fitted with electronically-controlled actuators that weigh around half a tonne each.

There are 10 multiprocessor calculators with a total memory of over 60GB, a Dolby surround 7.1 sound system with an output of 3500w, all requiring over 10 kilometres of cabling.

The driver sits in front of five displays, offering a total viewing angle in excess of 180 degrees.

Such simulators have gained importance in recent seasons - all the more so since the introduction of testing restrictions in the sport ahead of last season.

Team principal Stefano Domenicali, who was present at the unveiling, said: "It's an important day for us.

"The completion of this project means we will now be able to tackle with confidence some of the challenges that make up modern-day Formula One, while putting Ferrari at the cutting edge in terms of this technology.

"Furthermore, I am pleased such a complex project as this, which got underway around two years ago, has been completed on schedule thanks to the efforts of all those who worked on it."