Ferrari set for first F1 car reveal, before Renault, McLaren, Mercedes, Alpha Tauri, Racing Point and Alfa Romeo; Testing starts on Feb 19
Seven teams have now confirmed their car launch plans ahead of the 2020 Formula 1 season.
Ferrari are currently the first team who will reveal their car – on Tuesday, February 11 at the Teatro Valli in northern Italy – and say they consider themselves the “challengers” rather than favourites for the title.
The Scuderia have vowed to address the weaknesses of this year’s car – especially its downforce levels, which they admit will increase drag and reduce their straight-line advantage.
Renault, who have a new driver in Esteban Ocon this year to work alongside the impressive Daniel Ricciardo, will reveal their new car, the RS20, the following day, February 12, in Paris.
The French team are hoping to return to the top of the midfield again in 2020 after taking a step back last year, when they were comfortably beaten by McLaren – who they supply with engines.
Their launch is exactly a week before the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
McLaren – via an ‘accidental’ announcement from Lando Norris – have revealed they will launch their new F1 car, the MCL35, on February 13.
Norris let slip the unveil date to thousands of viewers during a comical live stream on the team’s YouTube page, after walking in on a meeting at the McLaren Technology Centre.
“I heard it was on the 13th of February,” Norris told his colleagues. “Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] told me it was on the 13th…”
Cue awkward responses from those in the meeting, before the stream was swiftly ended.
Valentine’s Day on February 14 is when world champions Mercedes will reveal their challenger, the W11. The car with which Lewis Hamilton will go for a record-equalling seventh championship will run for the first time in a private test at Silverstone.
Alpha Tauri, the team formerly known as Toro Rosso, will also launch their new car on February 14.