The Formula 1 winter break, although a much-needed break for everyone directly involved in the sport, is a tough period for the fans. With no racing action for almost 3 months now, everyone is waiting with bated breath to have the new season commence. With less than a month to go for the pre-season testing, which starts on February 21st, all the teams have now officially announced the dates for their F1 2024 car launch, and we can’t wait to just get on with it.
The way the 2023 season panned out, with Red Bull winning all but one race, they are sure to have a target on their backs. Teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin will be looking to make early gains while hoping that Red Bull has not found even more pace with the RB20. However, like each season, we’re sure to get a few teams who’ll just reveal their livery instead of showing us the real car, which they will probably reveal at a later date.
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Here’s all you need to know about the F1 2024 car launch
Being the only all-American team, it’s fitting that the first reveal will commence in the United States with Haas possibly showing us their new livery on February 2. Although it’s usually Williams who’s the first to reveal their cars, this time Haas has taken dibs. Despite struggling in 2023, Haas started the on-track development of their 2024 car early, hoping to start the new season on a positive note.
Haas will reveal its livery for the 2024 #F1 season next week. ⬇️https://t.co/RMreCg13MJ
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) January 26, 2024
Williams, set to launch on February 5, marked a return to the midfield in 2023 under the new leadership of team principal James Vowles. The team aims for long-term success in Formula 1, with talented drivers like Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant.
🗣️ "It’s still a little bit of an Achilles’ heel.”
There's one key issue Williams has only "25% solved" so far that it's desperate to solve with its 2024 car. @eddstrawF1 explains + @GaryAndersonF1's view ➡️https://t.co/MWeFeuulNRhttps://t.co/MWeFeuulNR
— The Race (@wearetherace) January 24, 2024
Stake F1 (formerly Alfa Romeo) joins the unveiling with Williams on February 5, revealing a car under the new branding of gambling firm Stake. The team is undergoing changes with a new identity set to last until Audi takes over the entire operations when the new regulations hit us in 2026.
Alpine follows on February 7, adopting a fresh approach for the 2024 season after a lackluster 2023. Alpine is the one team that has undergone the most changes in its internal structure in 2023 in a bid to become a top team in Formula 1. With Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon behind the wheel, the team shows promise. They just need to iron out a few things here and there.
AlphaTauri, which is now rebranded as Visa Cash App RB, launches on February 8 in Las Vegas. The team, under the new leadership of Laurent Mekies, has relocated major parts of its operations in the UK and promises a strong start to the 2024 season with increased collaboration with its sister team Red Bull.
🚨 | OFFICIAL! AlphaTauri are now called…
Visa Cash App RB. pic.twitter.com/GCLEhQJi8x
— formularacers (@formularacers_) January 24, 2024
Aston Martin will surprise us on February 12. Looking to build on its early success from 2023, the Silverstone-based squad will boast a more efficient aero package and a new title sponsor, making way for a slight name change to Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team.
Ferrari takes the spotlight on February 13, being the first to announce its launch date. The team maintains tradition with key figures Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, and team principal Fred Vasseur expected to make appearances. With the promise of a 95% new car, they’ll be one of the most sought-after teams during the launch and the pre-season test.
🚨 | Ferrari's 2024 car will feature many innovations, including changes around the Halo.
The package will be a hybrid of Red Bull's philosophy and Maranello's novelties:https://t.co/ubUqgG4lnC
— formularacers (@formularacers_) January 22, 2024
Mercedes has planned their launch on February 14, hoping for better performance after a disappointing couple of seasons. The W15, still under development, features ambitious changes in front and rear suspension, chassis, and gearbox. With the return of James Allison, Mercedes is promising a strong comeback to take the fight to the Red Bulls.
🚨I Mercedes says their 2024 car got rid of the spiteful rear end that hampered its progress last year! 🔥
The team has been working hard on a major car revamp that it hopes will allow Hamilton and Russell to take the fight to Red Bull this season. #f1 #formula1 pic.twitter.com/qcem7594YU
— FORMULA ROOM (@formularoom) January 20, 2024
Having already revealed its new livery, McLaren is also set to launch on February 14, riding high on a strong second half in 2023. The MCL60’s successor aims to turn podium battles into regular race wins. With drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the charge, McLaren has one of the most promising driver pairings on the grid.
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The launch season will wrap up after Red Bull reveals its new challenger on February 15, aiming to continue its success with the all-new RB20. Having failed initial frontal impact tests, the team is more than likely to not reveal their real car. However, the team already has a history of just showing off their new livery on the launch date. So, we’ll have to wait till the pre-season test to see the real title defender in 2024.
🗣️ | Christian Horner on RB20: “Evolution not revolution.”
“All areas have been revisited in the car, and we can't afford to have any complacency.”
“So the car is very much an evolution of a theme. We're not reinventing the wheel, and that has been very much the route of the… pic.twitter.com/SgZOxh74ro
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) January 23, 2024
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And with that, we’re all set to witness reveal after reveal in the upcoming weeks. We’ll keep you updated on the progress as the launch season commences on February 2.