F1 News: Sauber announces car launch date 

Formula 1 fans have yet another reason to look forward to winter testing, which is inching ever closer.

Alfa Romeo Sauber have announced that they will reveal their car for the 2019 season on the first day of tests in Barcelona.

The wraps will come off their new challenger at 08:20 on February 18 in the pit lane at the Circuit de Catalunya, 40 minutes prior to the first test day at testing. Alfa Romeo will continue to be the title sponsor for them.

Sauber has a refreshed line-up of 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen who returns to his team of debut after 2001.

In his first full season will be Ferrari Academy graduate and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi. He has two F1 races under his license and made his competitive debut for Sauber at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix.

The Swiss team had to replace both their 2018 drivers - the Ferrari-bound Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson, who is now the squad's reserve driver and is set to compete in IndyCar in the USA.

Frame the date. The future revealed. #AlfaRomeoSauberF1Team #GetCloser pic.twitter.com/3EQTjDor0l

— Sauber F1 Team (@SauberF1Team) January 21, 2019

Sauber was the most improved car, called C 37 in 2018 as they benefited from a switch to current-year Ferrari engines helping the rise of then-rookie Charles Leclerc.

They are now the fifth team to confirm its launch plans, meaning half of the grid has revealed their launch plans for their cars.

Renault, McLaren and Ferrari challengers for the season will be unveiled on February 12, 14 and 15 respectively.

Racing Point have announced season launch event scheduled at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto on February 12.

With less than a month left for winter testing, more launch dates are expected to be announced soon with Mercedes, Red Bull, Haas, Toro Rosso and Williams yet to confirm their launch plans for the new season.