MX23RW : Monday, November 25 05:52:19| >> :60:22:22:

New Formula One cars in the spotlight as testing starts in Barcelona

The 10 F1 teams have unveiled the cars they will use this season.

On Monday morning, Alfa Romeo became the last of Formula One's 10 teams to roll out their new challenger for the forthcoming season.

As the opening running of the winter gets under way at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, Press Association Sport takes a closer look at the machines that will be on track in 2019.

MERCEDES

Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff and Valtteri Bottas with the 2019 Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff and Valtteri Bottas with the 2019 Mercedes (Mercedes/PA)

Lewis Hamilton will be bidding to move to within one world championship of Michael Schumacher's record haul of seven this year. The 34-year-old British star will again be partnered by Valtteri Bottas for a third straight season.

Mercedes, the reigning five-time constructors' champions, teased an all-new camo look on social media ahead of their launch, but they will continue to run their car in traditional silver, complimented by flicks of aqua.

FERRARI

Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc form a new-look partnership at Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc form a new-look partnership at Ferrari (Ferrari/PA)

Under new management for 2019 after Maurizio Arrivabene was sacked, with Mattia Binotto hired as team principal, Ferrari are aiming to win their first drivers' title since 2007.

Kimi Raikkonen was the last man to win the championship for the Scuderia, but he has been assigned to Sauber, as the highly-rated Charles Leclerc moves in the opposite direction to join Sebastian Vettel.

The Italian team will sport a new matte paint job on the car they have called the SF90, to reflect their 90th anniversary this year.

RED BULL

Max Verstappen will take lead of Red Bull this year following Daniel Ricciardo's surprise switch to Renault. Young Frenchman Pierre Gasly is promoted from Toro Rosso to join the Dutchman.

Red Bull unveiled a striking limited-edition livery last week, featuring more red than usual. But, the former world champions have reverted to their customary dark blue livery, with flicks of yellow and red, for the start of testing.

RENAULT

Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg will drive for Renault this season
Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg will drive for Renault this season (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Ricciardo has taken the gamble to join Renault this year, and teams up with German Nico Hulkenberg.

The French manufacturer have moved steadily up the grid since they returned as a standalone constructor in 2016, but are yet to secure a podium finish. The outfit will continue to race in yellow and black this season.

HAAS

Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen unveil the new-look Haas at Barcelona
Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen unveil the new-look Haas at Barcelona (David Davies/PA)

The American team have taken on a new title sponsor – teaming up with the British fizzy drinks manufacturer Rich Energy – and have adapted their livery accordingly.

Racing in black and gold this year, Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen will extend their partnership into a third season.

McLAREN

Teenager Lando Norris will become the youngest British driver in F1 history when he makes his debut at the season-opening race in Melbourne next month.

The 19-year-old joins forces with Spaniard Carlos Sainz in a new-look partnership for a McLaren team bidding to reverse their recent poor fortunes.

RACING POINT

The British-based team have a new name for 2019 following last summer's takeover. Force India is out, and Racing Point is in.

Canadian fashion billionaire, Lawrence Stroll, led the buyout and his son, Lance, has followed him from Williams. Stroll will race alongside Mexican Sergio Perez as the team continue with their predominantly pink paint job.

ALFA ROMEO

The new Alfa Romeo was unveiled at Barcelona on Monday
The new Alfa Romeo was unveiled at Barcelona on Monday (David Davies/PA)

Alfa Romeo is the second fresh name on the grid this season after their Sauber takeover.

Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, and Antonio Giovinazzi will race for the re-branded outfit this year.

Kimi Raikkonen (left) and new team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi
Kimi Raikkonen (left) and new team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi (David Davies/PA)

Giuseppe Farina won F1's first world championship driving an Alfa Romeo in 1950, before Juan Manuel Fangio claimed the first of his five titles racing for the Italian car manufacturer a season later.

TORO ROSSO

Alexander Albon, who was raised in London but races under the Thailand flag, joins the returning Russian Daniil Kvyat for Red Bull's junior outfit, Toro Rosso, this year.

Albon finished third, behind British drivers George Russell and Lando Norris, in last season's Formula Two series, the feeder championship to F1.

WILLIAMS

Robert Kubica (front) and George Russell will race for Williams this year
Robert Kubica (front) and George Russell will race for Williams this year (Adam Davy/PA)

The British team have dropped their traditional navy-blue colours for a fresh paint job in a move, deputy team principal Claire Williams hopes will usher in a new era for the struggling British outfit.

The Williams cars will run a sky-blue-and-white colour scheme with English rookie Russell and Pole Robert Kubica, back in F1 for the first time since 2010 following his horror rally crash, at the wheel.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Philip Duncan, Press Association Sport F1 Correspondent');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '90efd989-29a0-4ee0-8d8e-1243b580ef24');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:auto,sport:f1,sport:other');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'New Formula One cars in the spotlight as testing starts in Barcelona'});

ID:350699: cacheID:350699:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:18172:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jacques Villeneuve pictured in August 2011
Read Next:
Leclerc can create 'mess' at Ferrari - Villeneuve
>
Read more about Lewis Hamilton Formula 1
rhs 2.0


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!