In a surprise move, Haas has not only revealed its 2019 livery... but the car with which it will contest the new season, the VF-19

While the American team had announced that its London unveil would feature the new livery, courtesy of the fact that it has a title sponsor in the form of the mysterious, and somewhat elusive, energy drink, Rich Energy, as the wraps were taken off to reveal the new livery, few were expecting the car to make an appearance.

However, while at the RAC Club in London's Pall Mall this morning, Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen took the wraps off the VF-18 sporting the team's 2019 livery, the team simultaneously released a number of images of the VF-19 thereby giving the first glimpse of how the new aero rules are being interpreted.

"This is the time of the season when you hope you've got designs right and you can be competitive straight away," said Gene Haas. "The new car looks distinctive, not only in terms of its color scheme, but also with the new regulations in play. Hopefully those design changes brought in for 2019 will improve the racing on-track, and more importantly give us a shot at making more of an impact at each Grand Prix."

"It's important that we keep progressing as a team, and this season is no different," added Guenther Steiner. "Our partnership with Rich Energy is another positive example of moving forward as an organization. We're pleased to see their colors on the VF-19, we welcome them as they join our valued partner group in utilizing Formula One as a global marketing platform.

"While 2018 delivered our best season to-date, the year showed, sometimes sharply, that we still have areas to improve on as a team. On-track, our push for performance started early with the VF-19, our next step is to get to Spain and utilize our time there wisely to prepare for Australia."

"I'm naturally delighted to finally see the Rich Energy colours and stag logo in Formula One with Haas," said William Storey, chief executive officer of Rich Energy. "Partnering with the team has already significantly raised the profile of our brand, this livery unveil will again elevate us to another level. It's fantastic to see the VF-19 decked out in black and gold, with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen similarly attired. We've worked closely with Haas F1 Team to ensure we present a strong look, one we're now very proud to take around the world competing in Formula One."

Due to the deliberately dark nature of the images issued, it's hard to get a clearer - pun intended - picture of how Haas has interpreted the rules, however, other than new mirror winglets and the wastegate pipes now being stacked above the exhaust, there appears to be a new S-duct.

The simplified front-wing, now 200mm wider and 20mm higher, and is designed to allow drivers to follow each other more closely and increase the possibility of overtaking. Similarly, the rear wing has been made simpler, as well as 20mm higher and 100mm wider, to aid slipstreaming and promote closer racing.

Smaller, repositioned barge boards are also visible, reduced in height by 150mm and moved forward by 100mm, these have been designed to improve air flow from the front wing making them less aerodynamically disruptive.

Auto Motor und Sport also notes the innovative wheel design, which suggests air is blown through small slots in the rims.

While the car will make its public debut in Barcelona on February 18, the American team will be on track at Fiorano for a filming day on February 15, two days before Ferrari is also due to carry out a filming day at the same track.

A third team has booked the track for the Saturday, but there is no indication of who that could possibly be. (Cough… Alfa).

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by RDFox, 10/02/2019 15:39

"Certainly reminds me, in general, of the old Lotus John Player Special livery. I approve."

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2. Posted by NefteGaz Agent, 08/02/2019 16:01 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 08/02/2019 16:58)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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3. Posted by Egalitarian, 07/02/2019 22:12

"Yes, @tristian, I too can see how the front wing is moderately less complex, but it could still do without the flute/tube on the lower edge.
The inside of that rear wing looks busy.
Not sure why one would evoke the past with the black and gold of the past, yet have big white letters for all of the other sponsorship/team name. Unless the principal sponsor insisted of course."

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4. Posted by Tristian, 07/02/2019 20:54

"Wow! That looks gorgeous! Haas had THE worst, dullest and least inspiring livery last year, and now, at a stroke, have what is likely to be a contender for the best! Naturally, its black and gold will conjure up images of the John Player famous liveries, back in the day. The car looks sleek too and I can already see how the front wing looks less fussy."

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5. Posted by rosscogeo, 07/02/2019 18:35

"Looks like the old Renault / lotus "

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6. Posted by Ro, 07/02/2019 16:45

" Sorry, but to the untrained eye, I cannot see much of a difference from last year's cars...still over-engineered front wing that obliterates the chance of slipstreaming and overtaking under braking. 'Scalectrix 2019', not 'F1'. Im going to the SPA 6 hours in september and watch historic F1's. Now thats ENTERTAINMENT"

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7. Posted by husoi, 07/02/2019 11:42

"Like it :)
On the other hand, still think there are too much stuff on the front wing. I would change the rules for a piece of plywood on the front :)"

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Haas reveals 2019 livery... and car

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