Red Bull reveals launch date of Honda-powered RB15
Red Bull's first Honda-powered Formula 1 car will be revealed next week.
The team has announced its 2019 challenger will break cover on Wednesday next week, February 13.
No details have been confirmed beyond Red Bull saying it would be "revealing our 2019 challenger".
Last year Red Bull's new car hit the track for the first time before pre-season testing, with the team using one of its two permitted promotional events to shake the car down at Silverstone.
It released images of the new car on the same day before rolling it out in its official colours a week later at Barcelona for testing.
A similar strategy in 2019 would give Red Bull the chance to observe its new engine partner Honda on track itself, having spent last year using its junior team Toro Rosso to monitor the Japanese manufacturer.
While such filming days are fundamentally limited in their use for extracting data, with a 100km limit and requirement to use demonstration tyres, it is a valuable headstart ahead of official testing.
It is a strategy Mercedes has committed to while Ferrari and Sauber have also been linked to the same move.
They may be able to identify any small engine design or installation gremlins that could limit mileage in the crucial first four-day test at Barcelona.
While there were reports at the start of 2019 that Honda had run into trouble, these were understood to be overblown.
Red Bull has insisted it has given Honda freedom to design its 2019 without placing aggressive packaging targets.
Honda has also made progress on the gearbox oscillations and oil leaks that blighted the roll-out of its final upgraded '18 engine, which formed the basis of the new unit.
Only Williams is yet to communicate its 2019 launch plans, although Haas has only committed to unveiling its new livery at this stage.
F1's key pre-season dates so far:
February 7 Haas livery reveal
February 11 Toro Rosso launch
February 12 Renault launch
February 13 Red Bull launch/Mercedes launch/shakedown, Racing Point launch
February 14 McLaren launch
February 15 Ferrari launch
February 18 Sauber launch
February 18-21 First pre-season test
February 26-March 1 Second pre-season test
Share Or Save This Story
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
Red Bull defends decision to force Max Verstappen to give back two positions
Max Verstappen: ‘I need to figure out where to overtake’ to win F1 Spanish GP
The NASCAR Cup Series Chase comes into focus after chaotic Gateway
NASCAR swear jar fines double after 245 curses caught on the radio at Gateway
Kyle Larson's winless drought was a bigger deal to you than him
Carson Hocevar spent 20 minutes signing for fans after Gateway finish: 'Some of us are still fans at heart'
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Audi’s long road back to the top of grand prix racing
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments