Norfolk Formula One outfit Caterham have become the first team to see their 2012 challenger unveiled to the public – through leaked pictures on Twitter.

The currently Hingham-based team were due to reveal the CT-01, the constructor's first chassis under the Caterham brand following the winter switch from Team Lotus, through one of the sport's monthly magazines.

However, on Wednesday morning a picture from the February issue of F1 Racing appeared on Twitter – swiftly followed by another from the team itself.

The car continues with the green and yellow livery similar of 2011, while the new season's revised technical rules have affected the look of the car.

The CT-01's relatively high and straight front nose designed by Norwich-born chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne and his Hingham team is likely to be copied by the rest of the grid due to new FIA rules.

Caterham have also returned the single roll hoop at the top of the car, after joining Force India in using a split air intake for last season's T128.

The CT-01 will make its first track appearance in the opening winter test at Jerez on Feburary 7, with the car and Renault engine's first fire-up due at Hingham on Friday.

Caterham are set to move their racing operations from Hingham in August to the former Arrows team base, at Leafield near Silverstone.

The Formula One season starts with the Australian Grand Prix, in Melbourne on March 18.