Online F1 launches are artificial, reckons Daniel Ricciardo

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