F1 2022 Car Launches

[Feek]

We're starting to see some dates for the 2022 car launches and I'm really interested to see what happens with the new car designs this year.

 

[Feek]

Red Bull – February 9
Aston Martin – February 10
McLaren – February 11
AlphaTauri – February 14
Williams – February 15
Ferrari – February 17
Mercedes – February 18
Alpine – February 21
Alfa Romeo – February 27

 

[utajoker]

are they car launches or just livery launches these days?

 

[Worthy]

I absolutely cannot wait to see the new cars. I know it’s still a bit of a joke at the moment after the palava at the end of last season, but I still can’t wait.

 

[Greboth]

are they car launches or just livery launches these days?

I’d imagine a mix of both as most, if not all, will launch with the most basic designed car and only add all their special parts for the pre season tests.

 

[Steeps]

Also with the budget cap I can't imagine they'll be manufacturing too many "fake" parts, I think they'll show the car they're intending to test at Barcelona but they'll keep some of the floor details either hidden or not to spec as that'll be where the benefits will be this year.

 

[Greboth]

That's a good point, I didn't think about the cost cap being a consideration on producing 'fake' parts. It's going to be interesting to see the differences between launch and the first test then.

 

[Dup]

I highly suspect they will unveil liveries using the 2022 demo chassis (there was a photo of a few being flown out somewhere).

 

[Skyboat]

That's a good point, I didn't think about the cost cap being a consideration on producing 'fake' parts. It's going to be interesting to see the differences between launch and the first test then.

They may just 3D print some plastic pieces for the unveiling. It'll all look the same once it's painted anyway

 

[Yaayuh!]

They may just 3D print some plastic pieces for the unveiling. It'll all look the same once it's painted anyway

I suspect a lot of the reveal car is just low cost material for prototype.

 

[Skyboat]

Yep exactly, pennies to produce so won't really eat up the budget.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

All we’ll see are liveries on generic cars. No way will we see the final car until the first race weekend starts.

I highly suspect they will unveil liveries using the 2022 demo chassis (there was a photo of a few being flown out somewhere).

Yup. They’ll just use the prototype.

I hope one or more teams manage to do something radical with the rules.

 

[pilki42]

Or you may find that 'blank' areas are fitted in place of where some of the more specific aero work would be. I recall something similar being done when the 2021 cars were launched.

 

[Ashish Doshi]

Or you may find that 'blank' areas are fitted in place of where some of the more specific aero work would be. I recall something similar being done when the 2021 cars were launched.

yeah exactly. mercedes did this and I remember James Allison being very open that they didn't want to show the new floor at the 2021 reveal

 

[cuke2u]

It's usually the case that the launch cars do not look the same as the test cars which, in turn, also look different at the first race..

 

[this_is_gav]

It might be different this year given they have been working on them for a year and will want aero correlation from CFD and wind tunnel to the track - you'd have to be ultra confident to turn up in Bahrain with a major update for a whole new set of regulations.

The livery launches will be on generic cars though.

 

[Ryan-3]

I do hope there are a few radical designs at the first race. Aren't Alpine meant to have found something within one of the grey areas to exploit? Or have I not drunk enough coffee..

 

[Ashish Doshi]

I do hope there are a few radical designs at the first race. Aren't Alpine meant to have found something within one of the grey areas to exploit? Or have I not drunk enough coffee..

There's been a few rumours with different teams. Ferrari making positive noises and Merc seem to be happy but really difficult to know. And it's all relative so won't know until the first test. Would love to see some innovations like the DD.

 

[cuke2u]

It might be different this year given they have been working on them for a year and will want aero correlation from CFD and wind tunnel to the track - you'd have to be ultra confident to turn up in Bahrain with a major update for a whole new set of regulations.

The livery launches will be on generic cars though.

Yeah the new regs may throw a curve ball but then some might still take a risk..

 

[pilki42]

Yeah the new regs may throw a curve ball but then some might still take a risk..

To me this is probably the most exciting thing about the 2022 season. Sure, there'll be plenty of amazing stories to tell about the drivers' individual efforts, but it'll be so incredible to see what each of the individual teams have come up with on their own on a completely new set of regs.

Who knows, we might even see Haas being slightly competitive this year as a result!