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F1 launch dates confirmed by Alpine and AlphaTauri
More than half of the Formula 1 grid has now confirmed their launch dates after the announcement of plans by Alpine and AlphaTauri.
The latest date so far was communicated by the Renault-powered team on Wednesday morning, with the 2022 car -- to be known as the A522 -- being revealed on Monday, February 21. That’s just two days before the first pre-season test in Barcelona gets underway, meaning an unveiling online or in Spain is most likely from Alpine.
Alpine beat AlphaTauri to fifth place in the constructors’ championship by just 13 points last season but will be aiming further up the grid with Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon under new regulations.
AlphaTauri has also confirmed it will launch its 2022 car a week earlier on February 14, with the AT03 currently set to be the third car to break cover after Aston Martin on February 10 and McLaren a day later. However, RACER understands Haas is planning an early February launch that could precede both of those.
The first test from February 23-25 will be treated as a shakedown by F1 with no live broadcast coverage, although media -- including RACER -- will be present to provide updates. The second test in Bahrain on March 10-12 will be treated as the “official pre-season test” by F1, with television coverage available.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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