Important pre-season dates for F1 2020

In less than a month the Formula 1 drivers will hit the Circuit de Catalunya for the start of 2020’s pre-season testing.

This year the drivers will have just six days, likely three apiece, to get to know their new machinery and iron out any bugs before heading to Australia for the opening race of the campaign.

Prior to that is the PR circus where everyone dreams of podium finishes and race wins – otherwise known as car launches.

Ferrari were the first to announce their pre-season plans with their 2020 challenger, which will be raced by Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, set to unveiled in Maranello on 11 February.

That will be followed the next day by Renault’s launch with Esteban Ocon returning to the grid alongside Daniel Ricciardo.

McLaren will show off their new car, the MCL35, on the 13th after Lando Norris spilled the beans ahead of the team’s announcement.

As for Valentine’s Day, Mercedes fans can expect to fall in love with the new W11, the car the Brackley squad is pinning their hopes of a seventh successive double on.

Alpha Tauri, formerly known as Toro Rosso, will also launch on the 14th.

But while at least five of the teams will definitely hold separate pre-season unveilings, a few of the others are likely to take the covers off their cars in the Barcelona pit lane on the morning of the 19th.

Car Launches

11 Feb – Ferrari
12 Feb – Renault RS20
13 Feb – McLaren MCL35
14 Feb – Mercedes W11
14 Feb – Alpha Tauri
17 Feb – Racing Point
17 Feb – Williams
19 Feb – Alfa Romeo
19 Feb – Haas

Pre-Season Testing

19 Feb – Barcelona Day One
20 Feb – Barcelona Day Two
21 Feb – Barcelona Day Three
26 Feb – Barcelona Day Four
27 Feb – Barcelona Day Five
28 Feb – Barcelona Day Six

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