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This week saw three teams reveal when they would be launching their 2017 challengers for the FIA Formula One Championship with Ferrari launching its 2017 car at Fiorano on the 24th February.
It was then announced on Wednesday that reigning world champions Mercedes will be launching the W08 on the 23rd February at Silverstone as the team will be looking to claim a fourth consecutive sweep of the drivers’ and constructors’ titles this season.
Mercedes will likely use the Silverstone launch as a shakedown filming day ahead of pre-season testing, which begins the following week on February 27 at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. At this current stage, Mercedes’ is still yet to confirm who will be driving alongside Lewis Hamilton for the upcoming campaign. Valtteri Bottas appears to be favourite to land the seat vacated by the retiring Nico Rosberg.
The team have also opened a competition for fans to attend the launch event, which includes a meet and greet with both drivers.
Later it was announced this week that Force India and Renault have also confirmed when they will both launch their 2017 cars.
The Force India team will be launching their 2017 Formula One car the VJM10 at Silverstone on February 22. The VJM10 will be driven by Sergio Perez and new recruit Esteban Ocon as the team tries to build upon its best season in F1, in which it beat fellow Mercedes customer team Williams to fourth place in the constructors’ championship.
With now the Renault team confirming that they will be launching their 2017 car on the 21st February. The French manufacturer will reveal its latest F1 design the day before Force India’s Silverstone launch, two days prior to Mercedes’ unveiling at the same venue, and three days before Ferrari plans to run its new car for the first time at Fiorano.
Renault is understood to be working on a major new technical partnership with oil company BP, and has also recruited Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg to partner Jolyon Palmer on the driving strength this season.
F1 is getting a facelift this season, with all-new regulations set to produce faster, wider, more aggressive-looking cars ands I feel it will be interesting to see how each team interprets the new rules.
Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa
