Connect with us

F1 News & Updates

F1: This is When Every Team Will Launch Their 2026 Car

A new era begins in Formula 1 for 2026, as groundbreaking regulations take effect. While the first race in Melbourne, Australia, is set for March 6, significant preparations remain before racing begins.
Qatar Grand Prix

This season also sees a new team enter the championship. Cadillac will be the first American works outfit in Formula 1, and for its 2026 debut season, it will use Ferrari engines and gearboxes.

McLaren’s Lando Norris will defend his maiden F1 title in 2026. As the slate is wiped clean, we will wait to see which teams rise to the challenge.

The teams will conduct private testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya between January 26 and 30.

The first public testing kicks off at the Bahrain International Circuit between February 11 and 13, and then a second session between February 18 and 20.

Back to the launches, and the first event takes place this week, on January 15.

Here’s a breakdown of the team events, kicking off on Thursday.

Bet Now: Formula 1

15 January – Red Bull & Racing Bulls

Both teams will unveil their new liveries on Thursday, January 15. According to Sky Sports, the event will take place in Detroit at Ford’s headquarters. Red Bull and Ford are jointly developing new hybrid power units for 2026, following the team’s end of its association with Honda.

19 January – Haas

The American-owned team, which finished eighth in the constructors’ standings last season, will unveil its new livery online, followed by its new car, the VF-26.

20 January – Audi

Audi, formerly Sauber, will unveil its first Formula 1 car in Berlin on Tuesday, 20 January.

20 January Honda Engine Reveal

The Japanese company might have parted ways with Red Bull in 2025, but it will still supply Aston Martin with the V6 units. The firm will show off its new technology at an event in Tokyo.

22 January – Mercedes (livery)

The German team will show off renders of its W17 challenger. The official launch of the car will take place on 2 February. The event will be streamed online, with appearances by drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli and team principal Toto Wolff.

23 January – Ferrari

The sport’s most famous team will show off its new car. The event will likely take place at Fiorano, the Italian outfit’s test track.

23 January – Alpine

The only French team will unveil its new challenger in Barcelona next Friday, 23 January. Alpine will hope to improve on its 2025 season. They finished last in the constructors’ standings and began working on their 2026 car before most teams.

Alpine will swap its Renault power units for Mercedes in 2026.

3 February – Williams

Williams, who finished fifth in the constructors’ standings, will show off their new livery of their FW48 challenger.

According to Sky Sports, the FW48 will feature a bespoke one-off fan-designed livery for the first test in Barcelona.

8 February – Cadillac

The newest team to F1, Cadillac, will show off its livery to a massive US audience as it plans to run an ad during the Super Bowl.

The pinnacle of American football, the event is one of the most-watched on US television, and will be hosted at Levi’s Stadium in California on Sunday, February 8.

9 February – Aston Martin

The AMR26 will be unveiled on the same day as we get a peek at McLaren’s new livery. Team owner Lawrence Stroll has brought on board legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey to lead the charge in 2026.

9 February – McLaren

The reigning constructors’ champions will show off their 2026 car livery on 9 February, two days before testing in Bahrain.

Related Topics
Sean Parker

Sean Parker is a motorsport journalist and sports content creator at The South African. He has worked for the country's premier motoring publications, and is a Formula 1 contributor to Bet.co.za, the Bet Central podcast, and Vision View Sports radio.

Advertisement
Advertisement

More in F1 News & Updates