2014 cars break cover as testing gets underway

The first test of 2014 began in Jerez, Spain this morning. The first of three four day tests before the racing begins, these are crucial for the teams to iron out the problems and understand their new cars in what are fundamental regulation changes for this year.

So far on a bright sunny day in Spain, no one has set a lap time and only a few teams have done installation laps to check everything is working before trying to set a lap time. I expect a lot of this in the first few days of the test. Ferrari and Force India have already brought out red flags after stopping without even completing a lap. 

Most teams are here with the exception of Lotus who will join the field at the second test in Bahrain. Marussia have been delayed while Caterham are at the test but have yet to unveil their new car due to problems.

So while we're waiting here's a collection of photographs from the 2014 grid so far grouped in noses:

We'll start with Ferrari and Mercedes. These to my mind, especially the Mercedes are the best looking of the cars, the lack of an anteater nose is especially nice, although it does kind of look like a hoover in the Ferrari's case. There were rumours that Ferrari may have been very conservative, but when reliability will be crucial perhaps that's no bad thing. 

Mercedes mean while have long been rumoured to be creating something that will most certainly be a title contender. As just purely on a superficial level Ferrari have gone the same route with the nose of the car, perhaps Ferrari are going to have a strong season too. If only Red Bull had gone the same way too...

So now we have a look at a computer generated image of the new Lotus, which as I've said will not be joining in on the first test. There are interesting times at Lotus, with team boss Eric Boullier leaving, possibly to join McLaren and a new Russian backer which will hopefully secure their future.

It does appear a bit strange that they are not at this test, but hopefully they'll be fine because their new car at least aesthetically, is awesome. 

And so we come to the anteater nose cars one of which is the new Red Bull. Here they all are in their dubious glory. Red Bull actually look to have a compromise between the Ferrari/Mercedes concept and the anteater which is interesting but the vast majority of the grid have a little sticking out bit at the end. So is it a case of majority rules or have the minority nose teams thought of something a bit special. 

Of course a car can't be judged by just the nose, there are the power units to consider and all the other aerodynamic changes that have been implemented. For my money I think the McLaren is the looker amongst this bunch, but it's silver livery is bound to change once they announce the title sponsor they were supposed 

to show off in December.

Red Bull

.

McLaren

Force India

Toro Rosso

Sauber



So that's all the teams that have revealed their cars so far from the weekend and this morning with Marussia expected to be unveiled by Thursday. But seriously if you're going to choose a nose to love I think I'd go with Mercedes' concept over the anteater any day. What they were thinking with this regulation I don't know. Obviously the lower nose concept was for safety to prevent launches, but they could have worded it in a way that they wouldn't produce such monstrosities.

So that's F1 2014 so far, a lot to look forward to once they can mange a lap or more. Interesting times ahead but for now lets leave you with how the new V6 turbo engines will sound thanks to Mercedes.

all photo's taken from autosport.com