Mercedes confirms launch date for 2020 F1 car

Mercedes has confirmed the launch plans for its 2020 Formula 1 car.

Mercedes will hit the track with its car for the first time on February 14 in a shakedown at Silverstone, which will also act as the formal unveiling of the W11.

The shakedown will be a private event closed off to the public and the media, but the team will release footage and images from the day to present its new car to the world for the first time.

Mercedes is the fifth team to set its launch plans ahead of the 2020 season. The rival Ferrari team will present its car on February 11 ahead of Renault on February 12 and McLaren on February 13, with the rebranded AlphaTauri also set to unveil on February 14 with Mercedes.

The shakedown will give Mercedes a first opportunity to ensure all systems are working correctly on the car before the start of pre-season testing on February 19 in Barcelona. As with all shakedowns, running will be limited to 100 km.

Mercedes will enter the 2020 season chasing an unprecedented seventh straight constructors’ championship after sweeping to the title again last year ahead of Ferrari and Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton will also be looking for a seventh title after his third straight championship victory for Mercedes last year, with teammate Valtteri Bottas finishing second in the drivers’ standings as the team racked up 15 wins across the course of the season.

The new Formula 1 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15.