2015 "start-up"

[J.Clark]

I would like to propose, for everyone's consideration, that this (or at least) one single thread be used for the launches and perhaps including pre-season testing.  It will simply make it easier for comparison and discussion than having a thread for each team's launch and/or performance.

Here is the schedule for the pre-season testing.
JEREZ – 1st  to 4th February 2015

BARCELONA – 19th to 22nd February &  26th February to 1st March 2015

I haven't seen much about entry launches as of yet.  If anyone has those, please put that information here.

[Alianora La Canta]

Force India - 21st January, Mexico City, Museo de las Ciencias (Carlos Slim's personal museum).

I don't think anyone else is planning on launching significantly prior to the first test, or anywhere other than at the test location.

[J.Clark]

The launches of recent years have fallen in glamour and promotion.  I don't know if it is about funding, or not.  It seems to me that teams with major sponsors would need to continue the old way to satisfy those sponsors.

Who knows?  I miss it though.

[Alianora La Canta]

Funding, and a change in who's doing the sponsoring. Since the recession, "showy" PR has fallen out of fashion with many big companies, who would see a high-profile launch as detrimental to an attempt to portray themselves as financially responsible entities (for many of them, maintaining such an image is a significant benefit). At one point the teams were close to agreeing a combined launch for all cars in the series (with Ferrari being the only objectors at that time, as I understand it, as they wanted their non-showy launch at home rather than at Jerez).

Force India have relatively flamboyant sponsors, and some of them on Pérez's side appear to be willing to fund a flashy launch. Notice that the venue is owned by Perez's main sponsor.

[Alianora La Canta]

McLaren, 29th January, their factory.

[Scott]

Yeah, I guess being the new Honda works team, they will do a bit more glitz than some of the others.

[Jericoke]

The launches of recent years have fallen in glamour and promotion.  I don't know if it is about funding, or not.  It seems to me that teams with major sponsors would need to continue the old way to satisfy those sponsors.

Who knows?  I miss it though.

There's an opportunity for Bernie to create a VIP 'event' by requiring a big launch in the next Concorde.

I'll take 5% Mr. Ecclestone.

[guest3164]

McLaren do enjoy an opportunity to put a car under canvas with a glorious view of their lake.  Still, this does deserve a proper launch, given the importance of Honda's return to F1 with McLaren.

[John S]

Ferrari will reveal its 2015 car on January 30th during an online only launch.

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/ferrari-formula-1-car-launched-30th-january

[J.Clark]

Force India will launch this week in Mexico City.  It will be online live at 1500 GMT on a date that was for some reason, not given in the article announcing it.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2015/1/16763.html

I tried to get on the FIF1 page, but since I am not registered, couldn't get the date from it.

It was sort of weird too.  In attempting to register, I had to be a company and so I just didn't try to pursue it.

[Alianora La Canta]

Force India will launch this week in Mexico City.  It will be online live at 1500 GMT on a date that was for some reason, not given in the article announcing it.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2015/1/16763.html

I tried to get on the FIF1 page, but since I am not registered, couldn't get the date from it.

It was sort of weird too.  In attempting to register, I had to be a company and so I just didn't try to pursue it.

3 pm GMT tomorrow, can't find the link to it on the team home page yet.

[John S]

Torro Rosso set to launch STR10 on Jan 31st at 5pm in pits at Jerez.

http://www.scuderiatororosso.com/article/see-10-17-31

[J.Clark]

Here is the Williams:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/01/20/williams-fw37-first-2015-f1-car-pictured/

Force India too:
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/321056/force-india-presents-new-livery-for-2015/

[John S]

Mercedes will launch the W06 in Jerez on Sunday 1st Feb.

http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2015/2015-f1-w06-launch-date-announcement/

[J.Clark]

The Williams' livery looks pretty good and so does the car, even though it still carries a bit of the ugly nose piece.  I hope is continues to go fast this season, as little would please me more than seeing them win the Constructor's Championship.

The Force India looks a bit unremarkable to me, and the livery just leaves me completely unmoved.