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Scuderia Toro Rosso unveiled their latest contender for this year’s world championship with the STR7, ahead of the official start of Formula One testing at Jerez.

As expected, the STR7 features a stepped nose, similar to that seen in all the 2012 Formula One cars unveiled so far apart from the McLaren MP4-27, which opted for a different approach with a low chassis and nose treatment.

The Toro Rosso, powered by Ferrari engines for the sixth season, will be driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne after the team opted for an all-new line-up for the upcoming season.

Last year, the Faenza-based squad finished in eighth position in the constructors’ standings with Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi.

“On Saturday (February 4th) at 10.00 am when loading the car I wasn’t convinced we could do it in time as there was so much snow, but we did it,” said team boss Franz Tost during the launch.

“The STR7 is the third car designed, fabricated and assembled completely by Toro Rosso. We have invested a lot of money to build up the infrastructure and I hope the results will be good in the forthcoming season. This investment was only possible because we have strong partners.

“Tomorrow (February 7th) we go out the first time with the new car and it is always something very special. We have two new highly skilled drivers and I am convinced both will do a very good job.

“Last year we finished eighth in constructors’ and this year we hope to do better, so seventh or more.”

The new car will take to the Spanish track for its debut run on the first official day of testing. Australian’s Ricciardo will have the unique honour to shakedown the new Toro Rosso STR7.

Sauber have unveiled their contender, the Ferrari-powered C31, for the 2012 Formula One world championship.

The Swiss squad finished in seventh place in the constructors’ standings last year after scoring 44 points following a strong start to the season.

After a drop in performance during the middle part of 2011, Sauber managed to keep rival Scuderia Toro Rosso at bay thanks to two point-scoring results in the final races of the season, thus securing seventh position.

The team will have an unchanged line-up for 2012 in the shape of Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez.

The Hinwil-based squad will start the season without its technical director James Key, who announced last week he was leaving the team he had joined at the start of 2010.

“Our goal is to finish regularly in the points so as to put ourselves in a significantly better position in the world championship,” said team boss Peter Sauber.

“We are looking forward to another season working with our young and talented drivers. Kamui will be competing in his third full season in F1. Last year we asked him to take on leadership responsibilities within the team and he has grown into the role.

“With his rookie season behind him Sergio is now approaching his second season, which is often the most difficult in a driver’s Formula 1 career. Both drivers have huge potential and will work with the same race engineers as in 2011 to continue developing that promise.”

The C31 continues with the trend set by other teams and it incorporates a stepped nose.

Unlike last year, the new Sauber features a pull-rod design for its rear suspension, allowing for improved packaging of the rear spring and damper elements.

The Lotus E20, the Enstone-based team’s 2012 Formula One challenger, has been revealed via an online event broadcast on the team’s website and YouTube channel.

The team, which competed as Renault last year has changed its identity and will be going into its first season with full Lotus branding.

The E20 is outwardly one of the more traditional designs unveiled so far, though it features the stepped nose design now commonplace, and reverts to a traditional exhaust layout – as mandated by the 2012 regulations – after last year’s experiment with a forward exiting exhaust. Team boss Eric Boullier hinted that the design featured plenty of subtle innovations.

“It’s true that the team’s reputation is good in terms of innovation and we brought through the last years some nice ones, and let’s say some more delicate ones, but definitely we have some this year,” he said.

The car is the first to be entered by the ex-Renault team under the Lotus title after the end of the branding dispute with rival team owner Tony Fernandes, whose erstwhile Lotus squad now runs as Caterham.

The E20 keeps the traditional black and gold colours used by the original Team Lotus team in the 1970s and 80s, and features prominent new sponsorship from Unilever brands Rexona and Clear.

Lotus has enticed 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen back to Formula One this year, with former test driver Romain Grosjean promoted to the second race seat alongside the Iceman after claiming last year’s GP2 title.

Boullier said the priority was to bring a winning spirit back to Enstone, which had claimed championships in its Benetton and Renault eras, most recently in 2006 with Fernando Alonso.

“My biggest hope is obviously to bring this positivity back again and to make sure this team is again at the front of the grid and for many years and a long time,” said Boullier.

“Also, to have all the people in Enstone enjoying life here and enjoying their passion for motor racing and F1.

“The fear is that we can have anything wrong which you cannot expect or handle and which would slow down this process.”

Lotus were known to have been working on a reactive ride height system for the E20, which they tested on its predecessor in Abu Dhabi late last year. However the sport’s governing body banned the system last month.

Video of the Lotus E20 launch:

Scuderia Ferrari unveiled their new car, the F2012, in Maranello with the team hopes it will return to world championship-winning glory.

After being forced to cancel its launch ceremony because of heavy snow at the team’s base, the Scuderia published the first set of images of the new F2012 on its official website instead.

Having promised a more radical approach with its car that it has had in recent seasons, the new Ferrari is the result of a big effort at the factory under the guidance of new technical director Pat Fry.

That distinctive nose design as seen on the Caterham CT01 and Force India VJM05 makes an appearance and first impressions are the new Ferrari is not a looker.

Hopefully the F2012 will lead Fernando Alonso to championship glory this season, with the Spaniard only taking a single win in 2011, while team-mate Felipe Massa never finished higher than fifth.

“The main changes when compared to 2011 concern the height of the front section of the chassis, the position of the exhaust pipes and the mapping for the electronic engine management,” said a statement released by the team.

“Practically every area of the car has been fundamentally revised, starting with the suspension layout: both the front and rear feature pull-rods, aimed at favouring aerodynamic performance and lowering the centre of gravity.

“The front wing is derived from the one introduced on the 150° Italia in the final part of its racing life and has been evolved from there. Further evolutions are planned in this area for the opening races of the season.

“The nose has a step in it that is not aesthetically pleasing: with the requirement from the regulations to lower the front part, this was a way of raising the bottom part of the chassis as much as possible for aerodynamic reasons. The sides have been redesigned, through modifications to the side impact structures, the repositioning of the radiators and revisions to all aerodynamic elements.

“The lower part of the rear of the car is much narrower and more tapered, a feature achieved partly through a new gearbox casing and a relocation of some mechanical components. In recent years, the area of exhausts has been crucial in terms of car performance and much effort was expended on this front, based on changes to the regulations introduced this year. The rear wing is conceptually similar to the one used in 2011, but every detail of it has been revised and it is now more efficient.

“Naturally, it is still fitted with DRS (a drag reduction system,) which is operated hydraulically. The front and rear air intakes for the brakes have been redesigned and work was carried out in collaboration with Brembo to optimise the braking system.”

Hopefully all that hard work in the wind tunnel and R&D will pay off, but it is not clear if the team will be able to complete any mileage prior to the first official test with the F2012 at Jerez in Spain next week due to the heavy snow.

Sahara Force India has revealed its new VJM05 at Silverstone today (February 3rd), with the new car featuring a distinctive nose.

The Mercedes-engined VJM05 features a nose design similar to that of the 2012 Caterham, and heavily revised sidepods in line with the new exhaust rules. Force India has also dropped its ‘blade’ style rollhoop design.

The new colour scheme looks better compared to last year’s car but that ‘hammerhead shark’ nose certainly makes the VJM05 look unique.

This is the second car produced under technical director Andrew Green. The Silverstone-based team operates an alternating system of project leaders, and the VJM05 is thus the responsibility of Akio Haga, Ian Hall having overseen last year’s car.

It is hoped that the new car will allow Force India to challenge for the top five in the constructors’ championship after finishing a best-ever sixth last year. The team has replaced Adrian Sutil with Nico Hulkenberg, while Paul di Resta stays on in the sister car.

“I think every individual in this team has put a lot of effort into his car,” di Resta told Sky Sports News. “The momentum we had at the end of last year, hopefully we’ve manged to carry that over but I must say it is a fine piece of art. Hopefully when it gets to track it’ll be able to show what it’s capable of.”

Hulkenberg, who drove for Williams in 2010 and was Force India’s reserve driver in 2011, said: “It feels good to be making a return to F1.

“I was very happy when I found out because last year, sat on the sidelines wasn’t easy. But still a good year because Force India gave me the opportunity to prove my skills on Friday mornings.

“I think I improved and continued to learn in 2011, but in different ways. Obviously I wasn’t driving, but behind the scenes, on the pitwall seeing how everything worked – these are all things that should help me in races.”

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team unveiled their latest challenger, the MP4-27, during a press event in Woking today (February 1st).

The team hopes the Mercedes-powered car will deliver that elusive championship success after missing out on both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles for the past two years.

Even though McLaren scored six victories last season in the hands of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, the team were severely beaten by the dominant Red Bull, especially up against the youngest back-to-back champion Sebastian Vettel.

Button, who finished in the runner-up position in last year’s championship, believes that the MP4-27 will deliver good results for the team.

“It’s very exciting day for us all,” said Button. “It’s the moment when we see how hard we’ve all been working.

“These guys have been flat out since we finished racing in 2011 on improving the car as much as they could in the simulator and I’m looking forward to getting out in it at Jerez.

“I am sure everyone is apprehensive when you start testing and I cannot wait to jump in the car.”

After admiring the MP4-27 for the first time, Hamilton said: “I think it is fantastic. It’s great to be here after a great winter.

“Seeing hard work going into building this car is inspiring. It is the most refined-looking car we have had for some time so we are looking forward to getting back in it.”

Ahead of his sixth season with the team, Hamilton added: “It feels very much like only yesterday when I went up to (former team boss) Ron (Dennis) and said I wanted to race for his team.

“But we’ve been competing at the front all those years. We’ve strength in depth, a great foundation from which we work. This is a team that never gives up.”

Caterham were the first team to launch last week (January 25th), with their car sporting a ‘duck-billed platypus’ shaped nose, the result of the meeting between front suspension and chassis.

That has been based on the new FIA regulations that decree a higher nose, with many suspecting that would be the way forward, leading to it being described as ‘ugly’.

However, the new McLaren remained very much true to past cars, with a smooth transition across the chassis from cockpit to the front wing.

Button said: “This is a beautiful car, which for me is important. Many you see will not be.”

Hamilton concurred, adding: “We’re coming in massively motivated, very fresh, and when you have a good-looking car, generally it’s a good car, so hopefully that is the case.”

Hamilton and Button represent a third of the six world champions that will be on the grid this season for the first time in the sport’s history.

The British champions are joined by Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and the returning Kimi Raikkonen, who this season will be driving for Lotus.

Hamilton added: “We love to have competition. It’s great to have so many great drivers. Hopefully there won’t be too many more added to it.

“It’s great for fans, great for the sport.”

So the drivers and team are motivated. Can the MP4-27 deliver that championship success following Red Bull domination? I’ll await with keen enthusiasm during the official testing at Jerez next week.

Former Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen made his return to the track after two years away during a private test session with Lotus-Renault.

The Iceman drove a 2010-spec Renault R30 at Valencia due to the testing restriction.

Sporting a new helmet design on his return, Raikkonen took to the wheel of the Renault-powered car – painted in the team’s contemporary black and gold livery and using Pirelli’s demonstration-spec rubber – for an installation lap.

The Finn is taking part in a two-day session designed to help him reacclimatise himself with modern-spec Grand Prix machinery. His first test with the team’s 2012 car will take place at Jerez next month.

Raikkonen last raced in Formula One in 2009, when he was dropped by Ferrari and chose to switch to the World Rally Championship for the following year. He competed for only two seasons.

Keen to return to racing, however, Raikkonen briefly tried the NASCAR truck series last year before eventually agreeing a deal with Lotus to return to the sport this year.

“There were different choices for this year but I really wanted to do racing – I did some NASCAR last year and I really enjoyed competing against people again,” he said.

“It was then that I decided to do some racing again and F1 is the highest level of racing and where people want to be.

“It takes a little bit of time to get used to it, but the main bits of driving – braking, turning, the normal things – don’t take many laps. But learning about the car, the team and the tyres will take time.”

It’s so great to see the Iceman back in Formula One and the amount of attention from various motor racing websites and social network reveal how popular Kimi Raikkonen is. Hopefully, the Finn will rediscover his winning speed and can compete against the other champions on the grid this season with full confidence.

Video of Raikkonen in action at Valencia:

Following months of speculation, Williams has finally confirmed the long awaited news that Bruno Senna will drive for the team alongside Pastor Maldonado.

The 28-year-old Brazilian secured one of the two remaining seats in Formula One in 2012. He will take over Rubens Barrichello’s place at Williams.

Senna said: “I feel very privileged that Williams has selected me as one of their race drivers. The team has a great heritage and I hope I can help write a good chapter in their history.

“The evaluation process has been intense and methodical but the time I have spent in the factory has demonstrated that the team has great people and all the resources needed to achieve better things this season.

Senna, the nephew of three-time world champion Ayrton, made his Grand Prix debut with the Hispania team back in 2010, but could not secure a seat for the start of the 2011 season.

He eventually replaced Nick Heidfeld at the Renault team from last year’s Belgian Grand Prix, but the team decided to hire Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean for this season. Senna managed two points in eight races in last season’s campaign.

Rumours of Bruno Senna linking with Williams lasted for months and when the Grove-based team officially announce the news on January 17, a cause of celebration emerged from various motorsport forums and social network sites.

For Bruno Senna, he will get his chance to represent the great Williams team when he takes to the race track on February 9, the first day of official Formula One testing at Jerez.

The move is rich in symbolism. As his uncle, Ayrton Senna, was in his third race for Williams-Renault when he lost his life in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

“It will be very interesting to drive for a team that my uncle has driven for, particularly as quite a few of the people here actually worked with Ayrton. Hopefully we can bring back some memories and create some great new ones too.

“I also want to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me to help get me to this position today. I am very proud to be Brazilian and more motivated than ever to demonstrate what I can do. Ever since I first sat in a go-kart I never wanted to do anything else.”

The move means Rubens Barrichello looks set to be absent from Formula One for the first time in twenty years.

The Brazilian said on Twitter after the announcement that his “future is wide open”.