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MOTORSPORT fans are split like never before - after a new team's F1 car was labelled a "cross between a ninja turtle and transformer".

Opinions on the lean, lime machine unveiled by the Stake F1 Team varied from ";hideous" to "I love it".

Zhou Guanyu, and team-mate Valtteri Bottas might get into an incredible sulk over some views on the C44, but there was also praise for the new green look
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Zhou Guanyu, and team-mate Valtteri Bottas might get into an incredible sulk over some views on the C44, but there was also praise for the new green lookCredit: AP
A close-up view gives F1 lovers much to mull over
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A close-up view gives F1 lovers much to mull overCredit: AP
Stake F1 Team technical director James Key explains details of the car
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Stake F1 Team technical director James Key explains details of the carCredit: PA

And if points are given for flowery descriptions then the Sauber-backed team would zoom up the constructors' table from sorry also-rans under their 2023  Alfa Romeo sponsorship to serious title contenders this year.

Sauber say the C44 car is “a marked departure from its predecessor” with a “slew of changes".

One alteration could be particularly important - from push-rod to pull-rod suspension.

The C44 also has new-look revised sidepods and engine cover as well as a different floor.

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As well as all that, Sauber are promising "important updates" early in the season, which starts in Bahrain on March 2.

But one thing will stay the same for the third year - with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu retained as the team drivers.

However, despite the stability behind the wheel, there was uncertainty from F1 fans over the C44's startling appearance.

One race-lover compared it to something presumably never seen before - a blend of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the ever-changing robotic movie heroes The Transformers.

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Another said: "This could very well be one of the most awful-looking F1 cars to ever exist."

A third joked: "Who was the lucky ten year old winner of the competition?"

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And a fourth suggested that at least it might be quite smart in a surprising way as he wrote: "Looks like Asda's new uniform lol."

But if Sauber went shopping for compliments they would find praise such as: "Looks like the way I do my liveries on the F1 game. I love it!"

"Looks great, I really like it," said another admirer.

And amongst the fierce two-way traffic of opinion, one fan sat alone on the barriers as he wrote: "I don't hate it..."

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Guanyu and Bottas will race together for the third year in a row
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Guanyu and Bottas will race together for the third year in a rowCredit: AP
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