The start of the 2021 Formula 1 season is just weeks away and the teams are preparing for a record-breaking 23 race schedule. Here is a rundown of the key dates you need to know prior to the season-opener in Bahrain on March 28.
Formula 1 car Launch Dates
Each team is set to unveil their 2021 challengers in either February or March.
Mercedes
The world champions will launch its car on March 2. Mercedes are aiming to win an eight consecutive drivers' and constructors' championship. The launch will be done digitally with Mercedes confirming the car will be called the W12.
Red Bull
Red Bull will unveil the RB16B on February 23 at their headquarters in Milton Keynes. Drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez and team boss Christian Horner will be at the presentation .
McLaren
McLaren launched the MCL35M earlier this month at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. They have also conducted a filming day at Silverstone.
Aston Martin
The newly rebranded Aston Martin team are set to launch their car on March 3 at the road company's headquarters in Gaydon. Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll will be on hand for the reveal. Aston Martin have said they will race in British-green colours in 2021.
Alpine
Alpine has stated it will reveal its first car, named the A521 at an event on March 2 with a new livery set to feature on the car. The team previously called Renault have been rebranded as Alpine in an attempt to build the reputation of the French sportscar outfit.
Ferrari
Ferrari will showcase their cars and drivers in two parts. On February 26, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will be formally unveiled before a second event on March 10 when the car will be revealed. The Italian squad have already fired up the engine on the SF21.
AlphaTauri
AlphaTauri were the second F1 team to launch their 2021 challenger , the AT02. The team also confirmed they will conduct a test and filming day between February 23-25 at Imola when they will run its new car for the first time.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo were the first team to reveal its launch date for the C41. They will unveil the car on February 22 in Warsaw.
Haas
No plans have been announced by Haas which will have an all-rookie line-up for the 2021 season as Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin make their F1 debuts.
Williams
Williams will unveil their FW43B on March 5, a week before pre-season testing. The team will enter its first full-season without Williams family involvement after they were purchased by Dorilton capital in 2020.
Pre-Season Testing
Due to cost-cutting measures the team and the FIA agreed to cut pre-season testing to three days. Teams can only run one car, meaning each driver will get one and a half days at the wheel. The original plan was for testing to take place in Barcelona but the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forced a change, so 2021 F1 pre-season testing will happen in Bahrain on March 12-14, a fortnight before the season-opener at the same track.
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