While McLaren and Ferrari have already launched their cars online, Mercedes
and Red Bull will unveil their respective 2014 designs just before taking to
the track in Jerez for the first of three pre-season tests.
The sport begins testing on Tuesday with more uncertainty than the paddock has
seen in years. The teams have not only been grappling with changes to the
aerodynamic rules, which have so far produced some bizarre “anteater”
front noses, but they will also be running a fundamentally different kind of
engine.
In a bid to go green, Formula
One has switched from 2.4-litre V8s to 1.6-litre V6 turbos, which
make extensive use of energy recovery systems. Understanding how the new
engines work is likely to dominate much of the week’s running, as teams
search for early reliability rather than outright pace. James Allison,
Ferrari’s technical director, has said he believes reliability will be “absolutely
fundamental” in deciding who emerges victorious in Abu Dhabi in
November.