Prepare for launch...

Right - put the 31st of January in your diary, F1-heads, and stand by for excitement overdose. In contrast to the days of yore, and in line with the frugal time in which we live, quite a few of the teams will launch their new cars in Valencia that day, before the test session there kicks off the next day.

I can see the logic. But I do miss the heady days when a new McLaren would be dangled precariously over Spice Girls wearing precariously dangly costumes (Which reminds me, I need to get a new hacksaw). Or on the deck of a yacht. Or something equally stupid, pretentious and expensive. With champagne and celebs in attendance, whilst Team Principal and drivers stood next to the new car looking equal amounts of bemused, amused and frightened, and grateful journo's took pictures of scantily-clad dancing girls and asked insightful questions like "can you win in this car?" before it had even been driven. Where was I...?

I guess the worst bit will be them all launching on the same day. I dunno - you wait ages and then all the F1 buses arrive at once. Still, I'm damn excited! Squeeeeeeeee!

(It's belated Christmas present from big bro night! Midge Ure's "Answers To Nothing" remastered double CD.)

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