160 replies to this topic

[Exb]

Thanks Haas for giving a tentative date (kind of) for the reveal of their 1st F1 car - 21st February in Barcelona. http://www.skysports...s-to-sky-sports
As I'm impatient for F1 to return I figured we could have a thread to keep track of all the launch dates and other important(ish) dates for F1 in the run up to the 2016 season. I will try and keep the OP updated as other teams announce their car reveals - I expect most will be in Barcelona just before testing starts but that doesn't need to stop us speculating  
 
cue some generic car under sheet photo's

Looks Fast   
 
  
Mercedes(crash tests passed)
Ferrari - 19th Feb 14.00(CET)  (crash tests passed)
Williams - 22nd Feb, Barcelona Pitlane(crash tests passed)
Red Bull - 17 Feb, livery only (London 5pm) 22 Feb - car, Barcelona Pitlane(crash tests passed)
Force India - 22nd Feb, Barcelona Pitlane 08.30(CET) (crash tests passed)
Lotus (Renault) - 3rd Feb?, Paris (could be livery only) 22 Feb car, Barcelona Pitlane (crash tests passed)
Toro Rosso - late Feb (22?) (crash tests passed)
Sauber - 2nd test - 1st March(crash tests passed)
McLaren - 21 Feb, Barcelona (crash tests passed)
Manor - 22nd Feb, Barcelona Pitlane (crash tests passed)
Haas - 21st Feb online, 22 Feb 07.50(CET) - car, Barcelona Pitlane (crash tests passed)
 
Renault have confirmed an event in Paris in February to announce the team name and other details (no mention of car launch yet though). 3rd Feb - apparently will reveal team structure, drivers and car.

Red Bull Event to launch new livery - 17th February 5pm, London
 
Ferrari Event: Monday 18th January 12.00 (CET) competition launch only

Merc possible (although denied?) shakedown 15th 19th Feb, Silverstone
Williams possible shakedown, 19th Feb Silverstone.
Ferrari filming day 21 Feb, Barcelona
Haas (possible) filming day 21 Feb, Barcelona
 
Wet Tyre Test, Paul Ricard (2015 cars - Ferrari, Red Bull & McLaren) 25th - 26th Jan
 
Barcelona Test 1 = 22nd - 25th February
Barcelona Test 2 = 1st - 4th March

 
61 49 46 41 36 35 34 33 28 27 26 18 17 15 14 13 8 7 5 days to the 1st pre-season test (I'm not counting, honestly)

Edited by Exb, 18 February 2016 - 00:04.

[MortenF1]

So, only one team has announced their launch date so far? That's unusual! 

[Marklar]

To be fair winter testing is 3 weeks later than usual this year *sad face*

[FullThrottleF1]

McLaren is generally one of the first to unveil a car, I'd expect to see an unveiling late this month.

[TomNokoe]

Monday 22nd Feb I reckon. We'll probably get the usual renders though. Don't Williams always show off to F1 Racing magazine?

[OvDrone]

Just two measly F1 tests before the first race? Haha F1...

[muramasa]

Monday 22nd Feb I reckon. We'll probably get the usual renders though. Don't Williams always show off to F1 Racing magazine?

....always?

...........just past 2 years.....2014 and 2015....

...if I'm correct though...

 

.....can still say always....not sure.....

[FullThrottleF1]

The TR will most likely be unveiled in Barcelona next month: http://www.motorspor...r-str11-665784/

[CountDooku]

The TR will most likely be unveiled in Barcelona next month: http://www.motorspor...r-str11-665784/

 

Sick sig you have there!

[FullThrottleF1]

Sick sig you have there!

 

That old thing? I'm thinking of changing it.... 

[Exb]

To be fair winter testing is 3 weeks later than usual this year *sad face*

Yep - I may have been a little premature with this thread but I was already getting withdrawal symptoms

For comparison the date of the launches in 2015:
1st Test: 1st Feb 2015
Mercedes - 1st Feb (announced 19 Jan)
Red Bull - 1st Feb (no announcement)
Williams - 22nd Jan online lauch (announced 9th Jan) (actually released renders on 20th Jan)
Ferrari - 30th Jan online launch (announced 9th Jan)
McLaren - 29th Jan online launch (announced 9th Jan)
Force India - 21. Jan (only new livery! - announced 4th Jan ) Car unveiled at 2nd test.
STR - 31st Jan (announced 20th Jan)
Lotus - 26th Jan (on-line) (announced by 26th Jan)
Sauber - 30th Jan (announced 27th Jan)

I would be very suprised if anything is unveiled by the end of Jan this year as that is still 3 weeks before the test starts, most likely it will be the week before the 1st test (15-21 Feb) or in the pit-lane at Barcelona on the 22nd.

Edited by Exb, 04 January 2016 - 14:46.

[senna da silva]

Thanks for the thread.

 

IMO it should be unlimited testing in the preseason.

[DinocoBlue]

Remember when they wanted all the teams to launch at the same time?

 

I can't remember when it was exactly, seems like it was for the '10 season but I'm probably miles out.

[Treads]

Remember when they wanted all the teams to launch at the same time?

I can't remember when it was exactly, seems like it was for the '10 season but I'm probably miles out.

Doesn't ring a bell.

[turssi]

Who will run a lightly updated 2015 car? My guess is Sauber, Manor and Lotus.

[Anja]

Actually people at Sauber say that their new car will be radically different.

[sabjit]

Thanks for the thread.

 

IMO it should be unlimited testing in the preseason.

 

In that case wave goodbye to the bottom 5 teams if you had that.

[Myrvold]

Who will run a lightly updated 2015 car? My guess is Sauber, Manor and Lotus.

 

So, Manor will run a lightly updated 2015 car, which only was a a 2014 car modified to 2015 rules?

Nah, they will most likely come with a new car, the one they had designed for 2015, then have worked on through the season.

[turssi]

I guess that only leaves me with Lotus, and don't tell me they have managed a radical design while selling the team (like a trident nose).

[senna da silva]

In that case wave goodbye to the bottom 5 teams if you had that.

 

How is that different from now?

[FredrikB]

Actually people at Sauber say that their new car will be radically different.

 

That's what they say.

For 2015 they came with a slightly modified 2014 car. That's why they where up to speed pretty fast in testing while others where finding their new cars out. 

[Jonnycraig37]

Who will run a lightly updated 2015 car? My guess is Sauber, Manor and Lotus.

Everyone but Manor. With stable regulations for 2016, teams will just finetune last years cars with the knowledge they've gained over the year.

[JHSingo]

Remember when they wanted all the teams to launch at the same time?

 

I can't remember when it was exactly, seems like it was for the '10 season but I'm probably miles out.

 

Yep, I remember that. Just one of those bizarre ideas that people in F1 come up with every now and then that never become reality...probably for the best, really.

[sabjit]

How is that different from now?

 They are actually still here. Contrary to popular belief.

[senna da silva]

 They are actually still here. Contrary to popular belief.

 

Well perhaps I'm selfish but there was a lot more interest in the sport over the preseason when launches and testing actually gave us quite a bit of information. Furthermore, you could see the evolution of the car before the season started. With the amount of money spent on wind tunnels, design and manufacture, a little more testing at various and local tracks would bear out valuable information even to the minnows in my opinion. This would make the launches and preseason greatly anticipated and talked about, like it used to be.

[DinocoBlue]

Yep, I remember that. Just one of those bizarre ideas that people in F1 come up with every now and then that never become reality...probably for the best, really.

Thanks, glad it wasn't just me that remembered then! I do recall them saying it was due to the recession - so I'm guessing it was '08 season onwards. And I think a lot of teams did have flashy showbiz launches prior to that.

 

I agree, it was never going to happen. Teams (and sponsors) want their own piece of limelight at the launch. Although revealing all cars simultaneously would be an amazing sight - the journalists wouldn't know which car to report on first.

[Exb]

There is a potential launch date from the Ferrari thread

Ferrari 2016 will be presented on 19 february with online presentation, according to this source.

I have no idea how reliable that source is??? (especially as there is nothing from Ferrari or no mainstream media mentioning it so I'm quite sceptical really) however due to the lack of any other news I will add it as a possible...

[Marklar]

Source is ok.

I remember that all Italy was reporting that Bottas will replace Kimi, while this site reported that Ferrari will take the option on Kimis contract. Even if it possibly was just a lucky punch, it cant be much worse than the Italian mainstream media ;)

[Marklar]

Just Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull will take part at the wet tyre test

http://www.motorspor...-ricard-667084/

[DinocoBlue]

Anyone think that Red Bull (or any other team) will run a camouflage livery again for testing this year?

[GrumpyYoungMan]

Just Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull will take part at the wet tyre test

http://www.motorspor...-ricard-667084/

Any idea why Mercedes (and the other teams) won't be running?

Edited by GrumpyYoungMan, 11 January 2016 - 16:26.

[Marklar]

Any idea why Mercedes (and the other teams) won't be running?

All were invited.

I guess that it was not worth for them to send a team for 2 days there without any benefit. The teams are not gathering any information. Unless you want to test some young drivers or reliability it is not worth to attend. Though, I expected besides these three teams that Mercedes would attend, that the other teams wont attend was predictable.

[muramasa]

Cuz they have reached the conclusion that cost of preparing machineries and personnel and splitting the factory resource for development for it outweighs the benefit they deem they would gain by participating it

[turssi]

They must be out of money ;-)

[Exb]

Seeing as there is still a total lack of any official launch dates I will grasp at anything I can:

 

Ferrari have an event on Monday at 12.00

1. 

    

   and Red Bull have a show run at Kitzbuehel on Thursday (11.00 CET)

    

   1. 

 

[Disgrace]

Launch dates are alas a thing of the past. There is the first day of the first test and the first day of the second test. Everything else will be digital renders or selective studio shots designed to conceal anything interesting.

[Jordan44]

Mercedes revealed the W06 with no warning or date set - they just released the footage of their annual Silverstone shakedown onto social media. So keep an eye out for that.

[senna da silva]

It's like these people have never heard of foreplay.

[turssi]

Just a fast in and out, similar to a SWAT team. Leaves us in awe, wondering what we just saw at the test.

Edited by turssi, 13 January 2016 - 00:23.

[Marklar]

Williams launch on 22nd february according to Smedley

[Nonesuch]

It's like these people have never heard of foreplay.

 

It's more likely that the guys in accounting have.  

 

[Boing 2]

It's like these people have never heard of foreplay.

 

Modern F1 launches are a case of spit on your hand and shout 'steady yourself love!'

[pdac]

Launch dates are alas a thing of the past. There is the first day of the first test and the first day of the second test. Everything else will be digital renders or selective studio shots designed to conceal anything interesting.

 

Or even a quick unveiling immediately before the start of the first session in Aus.

 

The fact is that once upon a time F1 felt that they needed to engage fans and the build up was all part of that. Now most involved in F1 couldn't give a *** about the fans - they're just running their businesses in the way they feel is best for them.

[Exb]

Williams launch on 22nd february according to Smedley

I wonder if they will also release digital pictures like they have done the last couple of years? Hopefully.

[Marklar]

What I forgot to mention earlier this week. Haas has changed the "launch" date now. The car will be unveiled on 22nd february. On 21st february they will just make a online presentation. Steiner said on thursday in a interview with motorsport-magazin.com: "We planned to unveil the car on the 21st, but then someone booked for that day the complete circuit for filming, so we decided to do that on monday morning"

 

http://www.motorspor...mine-fuer-2016/

 

I wonder which team will do that film day.

[CoolBreeze]

Damn...i missed those times when I really used to look forward to the massive launches! These days it's just online launches, with nothing. Mclaren's 2007 launch really stood out, IMO. 

[Clrnc]

I used to get very excited for the launch dates. 

 

Looks like it costs too much money nowadays so they can't be bothered. 

[Timstr11]

Online/social media on the days before the test and in the pitlane right before the test starts is going to be the norm I think.

[RedBaron]

McLaren will launch their car on February 21^st the day before testing kicks off.

 

 

Feeling blue? Seeing red?? You can ALL see the MP4-31 launch on Feb 21! #McLarenMP431

 

@McLarenF1

Edited by RedBaron, 18 January 2016 - 11:44.

[TheRacingElf]

Why does testing start this late this year btw? The Australian GP is on the same date as it normally would have been, has it something to do with the fact they brought it forward and didn't change the testing schedule of has it to do with the fact they have even less testing this year? (I'm sure in a few years time there won't be any pre-season testing any more if they go on like this)

 

The end of January and the beginning of February for me always meant the start of the season and now we have to wait for nearly a month longer...