F1 2017: F1 teams launch cars before pre-season begins in Barcelona

Formula 1 Australia Grand Prix — Mercedes F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton drives ahead of Red Bull Racing F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne. Reuters/Jason Reed

F1 2017 teams started to launch their cars before the pre-season testing starts on Feb. 27 in Barcelona, Spain. Four teams already revealed their powerful engines this week while the five others were scheduled to launch their cars within the week.

The first to do the car launch was Sauber. Sauber launched online its Sauber C36 (Ferrari) on Feb. 20. The Renault team launched Renault RS 17 on Feb. 21 in London, United Kingdom. On the other hand, Force India team showcased its Mercedes VJM10 car on Wednesday in Silverstone, UK.

The Mercedes team introduced its Mercedes W08 EQ Power+ on Thursday in Silverstone. On Friday, Ferrari unveils Ferrari TBC in Fiorano, Italy while McLaren team launches Honda MCL32 in Woking, UK. William team will launch Mercedes FW40 on Saturday with the venue to be announced.

On Sunday, three teams will do their car launching. Toro Rosso will have its car STR12 launch in Barcelona, Spain. Meanwhile, Red Bull RB13 (TAG Heuer) and HaasVF-17's (Ferrari) place of launching will soon be announced.

In 2016, Mercedes emerged as Formula 1 constructor's champion. Moreover, Mercedes' Nico Rosberg became the World Drivers' Champion in Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Rosberg's teammate and defending World Drivers' Champion in 2015, Lewis Hamilton finished second in the championship. Rosberg won by five points over the three-time champion Hamilton.

Unexpectedly, the Formula 1 German racing driver Rosberg announced his retirement from the sports five days after winning the world title. The decision of the 31-year-old champion surprised Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff but he said that it was a brave decision and a testament to Rosberg's character. Rosberg said that he would definitely not return to the race, saying that he already got his target to become Formula 1 champion.

Meanwhile, the British driver Hamilton looks ahead to the new season of F1. The 32-year-old driver said that he was not missing his former teammate Rosberg because there would always be another one. He admitted that it would be strange to have someone else in the next car but he would get on.

Mercedes now has Valtteri Bottas as replacement of Rosberg. Bottas is a 27-year-old Finnish racing driver who competed for Williams team from 2013 up to 2016. As of date, his best career achievement happened in 2014 when he placed fourth in the Formula 1 World Championship.

In the absence of Nico Rosberg, how Mercedes team will defend the championship title is something to watch out. Fans must also see if Lewis Hamilton will regain the World Drivers' Champion title.

Check out Sauber F1 team post on Twitter about its car launch.

READY, SET, GO! The Sauber C36-Ferrari hits the track! Visit https://t.co/s7pAYD04Gy for photos and more #25YearsInF1 #F1 pic.twitter.com/anTrnnZcTh

— Sauber F1 Team (@SauberF1Team) February 22, 2017

Renault's driver Jolyon Palmer expressed his excitement about the new launched Renault engine.

She's a beauty, let's hope the new car is as fast as it looks! Can't wait to get behind the wheel next week. #F12017 #Renault pic.twitter.com/09gOgqFkOg