2016 F1 team and car launch dates

After a busy winter - and, in McLaren's case, Christmas - of teams designing, building and fettling their latest creations, the countdown is well and truly underway to the opening F1 pre-season test on February 22nd.

A handful of teams have announced their launch plans, though as with recent seasons, low key (and cheaper) online and pit-lane roll-outs are set to be the norm.

Variations will see Renault launch its revived effort on February 3rd at a ceremony in Paris, though this is expected to be a presentation of team management, drivers and possibly livery. Similarly, Red Bull hasn't said when the RB12 will be seen first, but the Infiniti-less livery will be seen on February 17th.

Despite arguably being the keenest anticipated launch of the pre-season, newcomers Haas F1 Team will roll-out its as-yet-unnamed car on the morning of its first-ever test.

See below for a full rundown of the planned launches (update when more launches confirmed)

Mercedes AMG Petronas - TBALewis HamiltonNico Rosberg
Preferring to spend the big money on post-season celebrations rather than pre-season pomp, Mercedes hasn't given much away about its 2016 launch plans, but a pit-lane reveal is expected. Then again, it did last year all-but-reveal the car with some self-promotional 'spy shots' during a TV filming day and given its prolific social media presence, we are half expecting an image of the W07 to pop up without warning over the course of February.

Scuderia Ferrari - TBASebastian VettelKimi Raikkonen
Ferrari has favoured online launches in recent years and though no date has been set for this year, it is set to follow the same format having launched a social media competition to let a select few see the car first, albeit from behind a computer screen.

Williams Martini Racing - TBAValtteri BottasFelipe Massa
Though it hasn't been specific about its launch plans, Williams Martini Racing seems likely to conduct a pit-lane launch as it did last year.

Red Bull Racing - February 17th (Livery)Daniel RicciardoDaniil Kvyat
Having waited until after testing to reveal its 2015 livery (which wasn't all that different to the year before anyway) last season, Red Bull Racing will present its 2016 livery at an event on February 17th. The RB12 itself won't be viewed until pre-season testing - and may yet wear the unusual camouflage of last year - but this event will at least be the chance to see the car with less Infiniti and Renault, and more TAG Heuer.

Sahara Force India - TBASergio PerezNico Hulkenberg
Things have been rather quiet at Force India this winter as speculation about a potential Aston Martin and Johnnie Walker deal has seemingly dispersed. In fairness, compared with the situation twelve months ago, the fact Force India is still on course to run VJM09 at the first test is a massive improvement.

Renault F1 - February 3rd (Team Launch)Kevin MagnussenJolyon Palmer
Renault will be the first team to conduct some kind of launch on February 3rd when it presents the revived team at a ceremony in Paris. Though the ceremony is primarily supposed to be a chance to present the new management team and the revised driver line up properly, it is hoped a livery (if not the car) will be shown too...

Scuderia Toro Rosso - TBAMax VerstappenCarlos Sainz
Toro Rosso is yet to announce its plans for launching, but previous years suggest it will probably be a pit lane reveal with drivers Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.

Sauber - TBAFelipe NasrMarcus Ericsson
Sauber has already said its C35 won't be seen before the second Barcelona test, but the C34 with the 2016 livery design will be on view at the first test.

McLaren Honda - February 21stJenson ButtonFernando Alonso
After the fanfare of its revived Honda collaboration twelve months ago, the launch for McLaren's MP4-31 will be a little less exceptional this year. Still, it will be giving fans a glimpse of the car before it makes its track debut with what is likely to be an online reveal on February 21st, the day before testing gets underway.

Manor Racing February 22nd
TBA
TBA
Though there are no drivers confirmed as yet, Manor Racing has confirmed its new Mercedes-powered challenger will break cover on the morning of the first test. Who will be behind the wheel, however, remains anyone's guess.

Haas F1 February 22ndRomain GrosjeanEsteban Gutierrez
Though it will be courting much of the attention at the opening test as the first all-new team to join F1 since 2010, Haas F1 Team will prefer a low key roll-out rather than a high-profile launch for one of the most anticipated entries for many years.