Red Bull set date to reveal debut Honda-powered challenger

There’s plenty of reason for optimism at Red Bull. Having parted ways with Renault, the switch to Honda power units marks a new era for the four-time world champions – and they’ve announced that the RB15 challenger they hope delivers success this season will be officially unveiled on February 13.

The Red Bull-Renault partnership yielded four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ titles, but relations between the pair had grown increasingly fractious in the years following their dominance together, and ultimately led to their 12-year partnership coming to an end last season.

And, having seen Honda show signs of progress with junior team Toro Rosso in 2018, the Milton Keynes squad opted to partner with the Japanese engine supplier for the forthcoming campaign, which sees Pierre Gasly make the step up to partner five-time race winner Max Verstappen.

The squad didn’t give much away in regards to their new car, announcing on Monday morning via their social channels that they will be "revealing our 2019 challenger" on February 13 – the same day title rivals Mercedes will first reveal and shakedown their new car - the W10.

Red Bull’s announcement comes following the news that Haas will be the first team to reveal their 2019 look with an event planned for February 7, four days before Toro Rosso officially launch their new challenger online.

Renault are currently pencilled in to be the third team to launch, revealing their car on February 12, while Racing Point will present their livery and new identity on the same day as Red Bull and Mercedes a day later.

McLaren have opted for a Valentine’s Day reveal, a day ahead of Ferrari and four days before pre-season testing begins.

Alfa Romeo, meanwhile, have announced they will wait until the morning of the first day of testing to officially pull the covers off their 2019 challenger in the Barcelona pit lane.

That leaves Williams as the only team yet to announce their 2019 launch plans.

2019 F1 CAR LAUNCH DATES

Team	Date	Venue
Haas	Feb 7	London, UK
Williams (livery)	Feb 11	Grove, UK
Toro Rosso	Feb 11	Online
Renault	Feb 12	Enstone, UK
Racing Point (livery)	Feb 13	Toronto, Canada
Mercedes	Feb 13	Silverstone, UK
Red Bull	Feb 13	Silverstone, UK
McLaren	Feb 14	Woking, UK
Ferrari	Feb 15	Maranello, Italy
Alfa Romeo	Feb 18	Barcelona, Spain

To view complete details of the 2019 Formula 1 schedule, click here.