Sauber reveals 2019 Formula 1 car launch date

Last year the Swiss team revealed its challenger in an online launch one week before the first test began.

However, pre-season testing starts eight days earlier this year, so Sauber will present its Alfa Romeo-backed 2019 car in the Barcelona pitlane on February 18 ahead of the morning session.

It is the first team to commit to a pitlane roll-out for its launch, with Haas and Toro Rosso expected to do the same.

However, Sauber has also been linked with an early shakedown, with speculation linking it to completing a promotional event at Ferrari's Italian test track Fiorano for February 14.

Sauber made major progress in 2018 with an up-to-date Ferrari engine and greater technical investment.

It finished eighth in the constructors' championship and "pushed like hell" early with the development of its 2019 car.

F1's pre-season key dates so far

February 12 Renault launch
February 13 Racing Point launch
February 14 McLaren launch
February 15 Ferrari launch
February 18 Sauber launch
February 18-21 First pre-season test
February 26-March 1 Second pre-season test