McLaren and Aston Martin kick off big week of F1 launches

McLaren and Aston Martin take center stage on Monday as they kick off a big week of presentations for Formula 1 that will also see Ferrari, Mercedes and Alpine unveil their new contenders.

This afternoon at 17:00 GMT, McLaren will pull the covers off its MCL60, so named as the Woking-based outfit celebrates 60 years since its foundation by its eponymous and legendary founder, Bruce McLaren.

Team papaya will rely on Lando Norris and F1 rookie Oscar Piastri to defend its colors, a line-up viewed with a high degree of fascination by pundits who consider the highly-rated young Aussie as the real deal.

On Monday evening at 19:00 GMT, the interest will shift to Aston Martin as the emerald green team lays bare its new AMR23 charger that will be steered by incumbent Lance Stroll and new team member Fernando Alonso.

Tuesday, February 14th will dawn as a red-letter day for Ferrari, the favourite Valentine of the enamored Tifosi who will be pouring all over the Scuderia's new SF-23 that will be presented in Maranello, live from 10:25 GMT.

• 2023 Formula 1 World Championship - Calendar

On Wednesday morning, everyone will head to Silverstone where Mercedes will roll out its W14 at 9:15 GMT. The Brackley squad has likely pulled out all the stop to field a car that will take it back to the front of the grid this season.

This year, Lewis Hamilton will once again be gunning for a record eighth world title, while teammate George Russell heads into the 2023 season as a Grand Prix winner.

Closing out F1's presentation season, Alpine will roll out its new A523 in London on Thursday evening at 20:00 GMT. The Enstone squad will field a very interesting all-French line-up with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.

The latter has cut the cord with his former Red Bull family and hopes to achieved a step-up with Alpine which finished P4 and 'best of the rest' in last year's Constructors' standings.

So, five teams down and five more to go, but not the least!

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