With the 2016 Formula 1 season shortly upon us, Renault has been the first team to reveal its new car. It was a simple ceremony with a showcar, in a temporary livery, and the new drivers lined up. Yawn. But F1 car launches weren’t always so dull. Here are some of our favourites.
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McLaren’s Night of Cars and Stars (1997)
In 1997 McLaren had to shed its revered red and white Marlboro livery to appease its new tobacco sponsor, West. So to announce the new silver MP4-12, McLaren threw what must surely be the most extravagant launch event that we’ll ever see. The Woking team hired out London’s Alexandra Palace and invited the Spice Girls and Jamiroquai to perform in front of a huge audience of VIPs and press. The new car went on to score McLaren’s first win in four years, but the season belonged to Williams. Spice girl Gerri Halliwell went on to spice up the life of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner by marrying him.
Source – Melanie C Fans Brazil
