Online F1 launches are artificial, reckons Daniel Ricciardo
Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo says online Formula 1 launches are artificial and teams should make more of an effort by holding proper events
Ricciardo's team held a launch in East London on Wednesday, unveiling its 2016 livery on an old car because the new challenger had only passed its final crash test an hour before.
Renault held a similar event at its Technocentre in Paris earlier in the month, again with a show car, but the majority of the teams have decided against doing something similar.
Ferrari will launch its 2016 car online on Friday, with McLaren following suit on Sunday.
Haas has planned an unveil for 0650 UK time in the Barcelona pitlane ahead of the start of testing on Monday with the rest doing roll-outs or simply heading straight out on track.
It's a marked change from the past when teams would hold big events, such as McLaren drafting in the Spice Girls or Jordan pulling off the covers in Moscow's Red Square.
"The online stuff is a bit artificial," said Ricciardo.
"The 2016 car itself is going through crash tests at the moment but to still show off livery is cool.
"The pre-season is so long and there is so little that happens, it's cool to have an event to launch it.
"It gives us something to do and it's good for the fans, it's something to look forward to.
"Sure it's a bit more expensive than posting a picture online but I don't think you get anything out of posting a picture online."
The Red Bull launch follows two radical stunts the team has performed earlier over the winter.
Last month, Max Verstappen took the Red Bull for a spin on the legendary Streif ski course in Kitzbuhel in Austria, which required a helicopter, crane and chairlift just to get the car in position.
Ricciardo challenged the Bath Rugby squad to a scrum, using a specially-altered machine to push against the team's first string eight-strong pack at their training facility.
2016 FORMULA 1 LAUNCH DATES
Mercedes TBA
Ferrari February 19
Williams TBA
Red Bull February 22
Force India February 22
Renault February 22
Toro Rosso February 22, February 29 (livery launch)
Sauber March 1
McLaren February 21
Manor February 22
Haas February 22
Share Or Save This Story
F1 testing: Max Verstappen feels 'big difference' in 2018 Red Bull
Williams F1's Oliver Rowland to test Super Formula car at Suzuka
Why F1's under-fire rookie is already causing surprises
Who could stand-in for Verstappen at Red Bull if he gets an F1 race ban?
Top five Australian F1 drivers ranked: Brabham, Webber, Piastri and more
Why life after racing in F1 has plenty of upsides for Ricciardo
Hamilton frustrated after late Ferrari qualifying strategy change: ‘I towed Charles the whole time’
Antonelli angry at "unnecessary" Azerbaijan GP qualifying crash
F1 Azerbaijan GP: Russell dominates to pole after Antonelli crashes out in qualifying
LIVE: F1 Azerbaijan GP updates - Russell dominates to pole after Antonelli crashes out of qualifying
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments