Kimi Raikkonen and teammate Antonio Giovinazzi pulled the tarp off their Alfa Romeo on Wednesday at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit just before pre-season testing began. The new Alfa Romeo C39 maintains the team's white and red livery.

"We expect to improve on what we achieved last season, to make a step forward and, hopefully, be able to fight for the position at the top of the midfield," technical director Jan Monchaux said.

Robert Kubica, who has joined the team as a reserve driver, will start pre-season testing early on Wednesday, with Giovinazzi taking over in the afternoon.

Raikkonen will get his turn on Thursday. The 2007 F1 champion finished 12th last season in the standings while Giovinazzi was 17th.

Haas also presented its new black-and-white VF-20 to be driven by veteran pair Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen.

Haas is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2019, when Magnussen finished 16th and Grosjean 18th among the 20 drivers.

Magnussen will drive on Wednesday, with Grosjean taking over on Thursday.

Both teams are trying to challenge McLaren's place as the next-best team after frontrunners Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Sebastian Vettel has withdrawn from the opening day of testing after feeling unwell.

The four-time world champion was due to begin Ferrari's pre-season campaign, but the the Italian team confirmed he was "not feeling great this morning" and would not be in action, with teammate Charles Leclerc assuming driving duties.

Vettel, 32, posed for a group picture with all drivers ahead of the first day of testing before he was later seen leaving the track.

The first testing ends on Friday, with three further days next week in Barcelona.

Lewis Hamilton, the six-time world champion, will open his title defence on March 15 in Melbourne.

PA

Australian Associated Press