2013 Formula One Launches

[steveaki13]

So with just 55 days until Friday Practice Begins for the Australian GP and a matter of weeks until the first Pre Season Tests begin, I was sitting here getting excited and so I thought I would set up a thread for us to discuss the Launch Dates and info on the teams new cars as we get them.

Just something to talk about until the Tests begin.


So my provisional research gives me these details. Feel free to add details and info or news storys about the cars when you get it.

The 2013 Pre Season Tests Dates:

Pre Season Test 1: Jerez, Spain for 3 Days - Feb: 5th-8th
Pre Season Test 2: Barcelona, Spain for 3 Days - Feb 19th-22nd
Pre Season Test 3: Barcelona, Spain for 4 Days - Feb 28th-Mar 3rd

Launch Dates:

Mclaren: 31st January at TBC
Ferrari: 1st February at Maranello, Italy
Force India: 1st February at Silverstone, UK
Sauber: 2nd February at Hinwil, Switzerland
Red Bull: 3rd February at Milton Keynes, UK
Toro Rosso: 4th February at Jerez, Spain
Mercedes: 4th February at Jerez, Spain
Williams: 19th February at 2nd Pre Season Test at Barcelona, Spain
Lotus: TBC
Caterham: TBC
Marussia: TBC

*Williams have announced they are bringing a revised 2012 car to the 1st test I think.

As well as that we still have a couple of seats up for grabs with testing coming up.
2013 Driver Line Up
Red Bull: Sebastian Vettel (Confirmed), Mark Webber (Confirmed)
Ferrari: Fernando Alonso (Confirmed), Felipe Massa (Confirmed)
Mclaren: Jenson Button (Confirmed), Sergio Perez (Confirmed)
Lotus: Kimi Raikkonen (Confirmed), Romain Grosjean (Confirmed)
Mercedes: Nico Rosberg (Confirmed), Lewis Hamilton (Confirmed)
Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg (Confirmed), Esteban Gutierrez (Confirmed)
Force India: Paul di Resta (TBC), ?
Williams: Pastor Maldonado (Confirmed), Valterri Bottas (Confirmed)
Toro Rosso: Jean Eric Vergne (Confirmed), Daniel Ricciardo (Confirmed)
Caterham: Charles Pic (Confirmed), ?
Marussia: Timo Glock (Confirmed), Max Chilton (Confirmed)

So as far as I can see we have a Caterham seat up for grabs and a Force India seat up for grabs, although I saw a couple of places that Paul di Resta is not 100% confirmed. Is this true? If so we have 3 seats still available.

So with all this in mind lets hope when can discuss some interesting storys or details as the first launch dates approach, please correct or add anything you know to the thread.

[steveaki13]

One thing I am alway interested in despite it not being very important is the cars liveries.

Anyone think or hope for a change of liveries for any of the teams?


I assume no car is going to look radically different as this is the last year of this cycle of rules and Regulations.

[rjbetty]

Well I was really hoping Sauber would do a retro all black livery, like their original early 90s design. That would be sweet!

[steveaki13]

Yer I would like to see a few changes of livery. That was one thing about HRT. They changed every season.

I cant believe we are only 1 week away from the launches.

[rjbetty]

Maybe Toro Rosso can be sponsored by Red Bull Cola and be more red. Or Sugar Free and be more silver/light blue.

I don't know if Caterham can try something, though I like the green as I think it stands out and makes them what they are. I don't want Marussia to change as I thought their 2012 livery was stunning! Sauber is currently my least favourite. Every year they promise a different livery but it isn't...

My favourites are Marussia, McLaren and Mercedes. My least favourites are probably Sauber and Red Bull, though really I think they're all beautiful, and all F1 cars are.

This had given me an idea for a thread...

[tfp]

I'm surprised Force India diddnt make a beeline for Heikki...

[rjbetty]

I'm surprised Force India diddnt make a beeline for Heikki...

I have very much felt that way too. He's better than any other name that's been bandied about, including Kobayashi I think.

[steveaki13]

I no teams dont always get their line ups sorted early, but surely its a good idea to have two confirmed drivers by the time Pre Season testing starts. Otherwise your going to get various opinions during testing.

i.e Surely Force India & Caterham must announce drivers soon. We are not talking about a team like HRT who dont make it to the tests and announced their line ups at short notice.

[steveaki13]

Confirmation of Williams Plans to run a modified 2012 Car with 2013 Livery at the first test.

Williams delay new car launch | Sporting Life - F1 News | Korean Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button

[rjbetty]

Confirmation of Williams Plans to run a modified 2012 Car with 2013 Livery at the first test.

Williams delay new car launch | Sporting Life - F1 News | Korean Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button

Hmmm I hope that's not a sign of bad news of the team slipping back again. I was really hoping they could make another step forward and have a real go at 5th in the WCC.