• Valencia Testing

Renault and Williams fire up 2010 cars

The world's media is eagerly awaiting the launch of the new cars © Sutton Images

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Renault and Williams have both fired up their 2010 cars at their factories ahead of the first day of testing in Valencia on Monday.

Within the next five days, Ferrari, McLaren, Sauber, Renault, Toro Rosso, Williams and Mercedes will all have revealed and begun testing their new cars. Ferrari will launch on Thursday, McLaren on Friday, Sauber and Renault on Sunday, while Williams, Toro Rosso and Mercedes will all wait until the first day of testing to unveil their cars.

Renault confirmed that its new R30 was started for the first time last Friday. "The sound of that V8 engine revving away was pretty sweet for everyone who played a part in getting it ready on time," said a spokesperson for the Enstone-based team.

Williams revealed that it fired up its car for the first time on Wednesday night and Rubens Barrichello is expected to be the first to test the FW32 when it is revealed to the public in Valencia.

"I arrive in Spain on Saturday," he said. "I cannot wait to drive the new car. I think Valencia will give some evidence about what will happen in Bahrain, but this winter it will be even harder to tell [the pecking order] because of the larger fuel tanks."

McLaren, which will reveal its car on Friday, has released teaser images of its car on the social-networking website Twitter. The pictures include a mock-up throttle pedal, a close-up of the carbon tub, and a silver bracket.

"There is a really exciting buzz about the place, and we are desperate to share! Only two days to go now," the Woking-based team said on its 'The Fifth Driver' page.

The first test in Valencia will run from February 1 to February 3, with some of the ticket proceeds being donated to the Haitian earthquake victims.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.