McLaren, Ferrari to launch in late January

Jan.9 (GMM) McLaren looks set to launch its Honda-powered 2015 car with an event at the British team's Woking headquarters on January 29.

International media reports are suggesting the McLaren launch could then be followed a day earlier or later by the official presentation of the new Ferrari.

Unlike the McLaren event, however, which will feature journalists attending an actual car unveiling, Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport said the Ferrari 'launch' will in fact simply be the release of multimedia items on the internet.

The report tipped the Ferrari livery to again be red and white with a touch of black carbon, adding that behind-the-scenes rumblings from Maranello suggest the latest wind tunnel results are "encouraging".

"There is optimism that much of the aerodynamic deficit has been bridged," said La Gazzetta.

"And combined with the political victory on the engine side that will improve performance and economy, there is a feeling of moderate optimism."

The report said the '666'-codenamed project will be launched between the 28th and the 30th of January, with the precise date "depending on the assembly of the car".

Meanwhile, it has emerged that, unlike in 2014 when four tests were scheduled, this year there will only be two post-grand prix, in-season tests.

They will take place after the Spanish and Austrian grands prix respectively, at the Circuit de Catalunya in May and the Red Bull-Ring in June.