Who is launching What ? When ?

With March’s season-opener drawing ever closer and the first official test of the year set to kick off in just over a week's time, the teams are currently closeted in their factories, busily preparing for their 2010 campaigns. Over the coming weeks, however, they will all break cover and unveil their new cars to an expectant public.

After months of waiting, it’s always an exciting time, and with four brand new squads also joining the fray, you can guarantee there’ll be some surprises in store…

First up are Ferrari, who will take the wraps off their as-yet unnamed 2010 challenger at their Maranello factory next Thursday. Although they’ve already provided a sneak peak of an updated livery, complete with new sponsors Santander, their new car will be unveiled on January 28, with drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa both in attendance.

McLaren’s Mercedes-engined MP4-25, which will be driven by reigning world champion Jenson Button and 2008 titleholder Lewis Hamilton, will be revealed on January 29 at the UK headquarters of team sponsor Vodafone in Newbury.

Next up are BMW Sauber and Renault, who will unveil their 2010 cars at Spain’s Valencia track on January 31, the day before the first official test of the year kicks off. Although both have chosen to forgo the traditional glitz and glamour of a factory launch, team management and drivers will all be present.

Next in line are Mercedes. The former Brawn squad plan to showcase their rebranded ‘team’, and all-new driver pairing of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, on Monday January 25 at Mercedes’ Stuttgart museum, before unveiling their new car at Valencia when testing gets underway on February 1. Williams are also planning to debut their new car at the same test.

Red Bull and Force India are both expected to reveal their new challengers at the second official test of the year, at the Spanish circuit of Jerez on February 10.

As one of four new teams joining the 2010 grid, it’s understandable that Lotus are to wait until the second week of February to unveil their car. Technical officer Mike Gascoyne has revealed they plan to fire up their car’s engine for the first time on February 5, before launching it on February 12. It will then make its track debut at Jerez a few days later.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the new US team, have decided to break with convention and are planning to give their car it’s first run on home soil in the United States. The machine will make a low-key test debut at the Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama at some point in early February.

There’s still no official word yet from fellow newcomers Virgin or Campos. Toro Rosso are also yet to announce launch plans.

Current launch line-up at a glance:
January 28 - Ferrari, Maranello, Italy
January 29 - McLaren, Newbury, UK
January 31 - BMW Sauber/Renault, Valencia, Spain
February 1 - Mercedes GP/Williams, Valencia, Spain
February 10 - Red Bull/Force India, Jerez, Spain
Early February - US, Barber Motorsport Park, Alabama, USA
February 12 - Lotus