<
>

Williams plans Barcelona pit-lane unveiling

Patrik Lundin/Sutton Images

Williams plans to launch its 2016 car in the pit lane on the opening day of winter testing in Barcelona on February 22.

As it did last year in Jerez, Williams will take the covers off its car in front of the media in the pit lane. On that occasion it had released rendered images of the FW37 online beforehand.

On Monday Ferrari revealed a campaign giving fans unique access to its online launch next month, while McLaren announced its launch date as February 21 -- the day before the first test begins. Team performance chief Rob Smedley says Williams does not have a special event planned.

"We're not going to have any kind of glitzy or glamorous launch, we're just going to launch it on the 22nd in Barcelona," Smedley told Sky Sports F1.

The grand and lavish launches of the past are becoming rarer in modern F1, with many teams opting to do what Williams plans to and break cover on the morning of the opening test. Testing in Barcelona will take place on February 22-25 and March 1-4 ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 20.