TWO of Oxfordshire’s Formula 1 teams have launched their new cars ahead of the 2018 season.

Grove-based Williams and the Banbury-prepared Haas teams unveiled the first look of their challengers ahead of the test in Barcelona on February 26-March 1.

One major difference to the look of the cars is the halo, introduced by the FIA to increase driver safety.

Williams have revealed pursuing a “very different aerodynamic concept”, while rookie Sergey Sirotkin joins Lance Stroll in the cockpit.

Deputy team principal Claire Williams said: “I am thrilled to be back and launching our new car, for a new season, with a new, exciting driver line-up.

“For many months, the team have put a tremendous amount of effort into the FW41 and I’m eager to see both Lance and Sergey take to the track later this month.”

Haas scored 47 points in 2017 and chairman Gene Haas is hoping for more progress.

He said: “Our 2017 car was actually pretty good, but we didn’t always get the best out of it, and that’s what we aimed to change in 2018.

“We got the car as light as possible to carry more ballast. We were able to do a better job of putting the weight where we wanted it.”