Alfa Romeo becomes final F1 team to launch 2020 car

Alfa Romeo has unveiled its latest Formula 1 car in the Barcelona pitlane ahead of pre-season testing, becoming the 10th and last team to launch its 2020 challenger. 

The official roll out came shortly after midfield rivals Haas did the same at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as Alfa Romeo uncovered its C39 machine in the pitlane of the Spanish Grand Prix venue. 

After running its 2020 car in a special one-off ‘snakeskin’ livery during an initial shakedown and filming day at Fiorano last week, Alfa Romeo reverted to its traditional red and white colours for its launch. 

Team regulars Kimi Raikkonen, Antonio Giovinazzi and reserve and test driver Robert Kubica were all present as Alfa Romeo’s new contender was revealed. 

Kubica will be the first driver to sample the C39 as he conducts the opening morning of pre-season running for the Swiss squad, before Giovinazzi gets behind the wheel for the afternoon session. 

Raikkonen is due to drive for a single full day on Thursday, with Giovinazzi rounding out the final day of the opening test on Friday.

Alfa Romeo, which has been renamed Alfa Romeo Orlen Racing for 2020 due to its new co-title sponsors which followed Kubica from Williams, is aiming to improve on its eighth-placed finish in the 2019 constructors’ championship. 

In its second season under the management of team principal Frederic Vassuer - and its first as the Alfa Romeo guise - the team collected 57 points across the year, with its best result coming in Brazil as Raikkonen led home a 4-5 finish. 

Raikkonen scored 43 of Alfa’s points haul as he finished 12th in the drivers’ standings. In contrast, Giovinazzi contributed just 14 points to the team’s total on his way to 17th during his first full-season in F1. 

The opening day of winter testing begins at 0900 local time (0800 GMT). 

The covers are off. #C39. pic.twitter.com/yo4si4xyqn

— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) February 19, 2020