F1: Ferrari ready to spend big to end title drought

Ferrari chairman and CEO Louis Camilleri has revealed that the Italian team will increase their budget in a bid to win the 2019 Formula 1 championships.

Last year, Mercedes continued their F1 domination with another title double. The Silver Arrows finished 84 points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ standings while Lewis Hamilton beat Sebastian Vettel to the drivers’ title.

Since the end of last season, Ferrari have made significant changes both on and off the track. Charles Leclerc has replaced Kimi Raikkonen as Vettel’s partner for 2019 while Mattia Binotto has been named as Ferrari’s new team principal in place of Maurizio Arrivabene.

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With those changes now in place, Ferrari will be aiming to end their long championship drought. They last won the drivers’ title with Raikkonen in 2007 and their previous constructors’ victory was in 2008.

Quoted by Autosport, Camilleri told investors during a conference call: “While our Formula 1 performance last year was the best one since we won the constructors’ championship in 2008, we fell short of our ambition to raise the winners’ cup. Our objective going forward remains the same as it has always been, to win.

“In 2019 we project an increase in spending which partially reflects this ambition, but also includes the development expenditures required to address the new tactical regulations that will form part of the envisaged Concorde agreement that should come into force in 2021.”

Ferrari will unveil their new 2019 car on Friday 15 February. The first pre-season test takes place in Barcelona from 18-21 February.

Baku on calendar until 2023

It has been confirmed that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku will remain on the F1 calendar until at least 2023.

An agreement has been struck with the Baku City Circuit and Formula 1 chairman Chase Carey said: “We are very pleased to have renewed this agreement which will see the Azerbaijan Grand Prix feature on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar for many years to come.

“In just a short space of time, this race has become one of the most popular of the season, always producing closely fought and spectacular racing.

“The Republic of Azerbaijan provides a really excellent welcome to everyone in Formula 1 and the beautiful city of Baku is an amazing backdrop for the greatest motor racing show in the world.”

Red Bull announce car launch date

Red Bull Racing have tweeted that their 2019 challenger will be unveiled on Wednesday 13 February – the same day as Mercedes and Racing Point.

Meanwhile the Haas F1 Team will reveal their new 2019 livery on Thursday 7 February.

F1 2019 new car launch dates

• 7 February: Haas livery unveiling
• 11 February: Toro Rosso (online)
• 12 February: Renault (Enstone, UK)
• 13 February: Mercedes shakedown (Silverstone, UK)
• 13 February: Racing Point (Toronto, Canada)
• 13 February: Red Bull Racing (TBC)
• 14 February: McLaren (McLaren Technology Centre)
• 15 February: Ferrari (Maranello, Italy)
• 18 February: Alfa Romeo Racing (Barcelona, Spain)

Key F1 dates in 2019

• 18-21 February: pre-season test one at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
• 26 February-1 March: pre-season test two at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
• 17 March: Australian Grand Prix (first race of the season)
• 14 April: Chinese Grand Prix (1,000th F1 GP)
• 14 July: British Grand Prix, Silverstone
• 1 December: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (final race of the season)