We are at that time of year when teams are beginning to launch their new cars, and the credit crunch has seen to it that we will no longer see the lavish affairs we have witnessed in recent times. But with the new regulation changes, the cars themselves should be interesting enough, and McLaren have announced a secret twist in the launch of their car.
Here are the launch dates that have been announced and confirmed so far:
Ferrari F60 - January 12th - Mugello, Italy - Track Debut
Toyota TF109 - January 15th - Internet Launch - (Track Debut - January 20th, Valencia, Spain)
McLaren MP4-24 - January 16th - Woking, UK
Williams FW31 - January 19th - Algarve Circuit, Portugal - Track Debut
Renault R29 - January 19th - Algarve Motorsport Park, Portugal
BMW F1.09 - January 20th - Valencia Circuit, Spain - Track Debut
Red Bull RB5 - February 9th - Jerez Circuit, Spain - Track Debut
Force India VJM02
Toro Rosso STR4 - March 9th - Circuit de Catalunya, Spain - Track Debut
BE SURE TO CHECK THE NEWS SECTION FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON LAUNCHES
Notes:
I wonder if McLaren's big surprise is that Heikki will still be there? Hmm.
Either that or a diamond encrusted '1' on Lewis's car. They're becoming predictable.
Here are the launch dates that have been announced and confirmed so far:
Ferrari F60 - January 12th - Mugello, Italy - Track Debut
Toyota TF109 - January 15th - Internet Launch - (Track Debut - January 20th, Valencia, Spain)
McLaren MP4-24 - January 16th - Woking, UK
Williams FW31 - January 19th - Algarve Circuit, Portugal - Track Debut
Renault R29 - January 19th - Algarve Motorsport Park, Portugal
BMW F1.09 - January 20th - Valencia Circuit, Spain - Track Debut
Red Bull RB5 - February 9th - Jerez Circuit, Spain - Track Debut
Force India VJM02
Toro Rosso STR4 - March 9th - Circuit de Catalunya, Spain - Track Debut
BE SURE TO CHECK THE NEWS SECTION FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON LAUNCHES
Notes:
- Matt Bishop, McLaren head of communications and public relations, told Autosport: "It won't be a lavish affair of the type we staged in Valencia two years ago, but it'll be slick and professional and there will be an interesting twist to the format." Edit: The 'twist' was the revelation that Ron Dennis has decided to step down as team principal. See 'News'.
- Toyota have revealed there will be a somewhat different style to their traditional launches: "To emphasise its commitment to overall cost reduction in Formula 1, the team will not proceed with its traditional pre-season event programme." As such studio images of the TF109 in its new 2009 livery will be made available to the media on January 15 through the internet.
I wonder if McLaren's big surprise is that Heikki will still be there? Hmm.
Either that or a diamond encrusted '1' on Lewis's car. They're becoming predictable.
Last edited by Ross on 4th March 2009, 04:46; edited 10 times in total