F1 2022 cars launches schedule

While the 2021 FIA investigation to avoid repeating the Abu Dhabi final lap debacle is still not over, we’re almost into that time of year where F1 teams begin revealing their new 2022 cars for the forthcoming season. And with the rulebook undergoing a massive shake-up this year, the new generation of designs should be fascinating.

Simplified aero, a return to ground effect, low-profile tyres, wheel covers; all of these things are being introduced for 2022 cars in the name of closer, more exciting racing, which means teams have had to put their old ideas in the bin and spend Christmas coming up with entirely new ones.

F1 even made a mock-up design of what the new cars would look like (see the gallery above), remember?

And then there’s the new budget cap, which should make it much harder for the biggest teams to simply spend their way out of midfield mediocrity and leave the minnows at the back of the grid. Here’s hoping.

So, here’s a quick rundown of the confirmed dates we’ll see each team’s new contender. Get those e-calendars synced to your electronic devices, folks.

2022 cars reveal schedule

Haas VF-22 – 4 February
Red Bull RB18 – 9 February
Aston Martin AMR22 – 10 February
McLaren MCL36 – 11 February
AlphaTauri AT03 – 14 February
Ferrari F1-75 – 17 February
Mercedes W13 – 18 February
Alpine A522 – 22 February
Alfa Romeo C42 – 27 February
Williams FW44 – TBC

The first three days of pre-season testing commence in Barcelona on February 23, so unless the teams have found a way of lapping their cars underneath an ultra-fast shroud, we’ll have seen all the cars by then. Alfa Romeo, you’ll note, is launching its livery on 27 February, so expect them to be wearing heavy camouflage for the first shakedown in Spain.

A further three test days follow at the Sakhir International Circuit from March 10, a week before the season-opening race at the same venue in Bahrain. Until then, here are 10 things we’re looking forward to about the new campaign.