All 11 F1 teams' 2026 car launch plans – The Race
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The 2026 rules overhaul marks arguably the biggest reset in Formula 1 history, with both the chassis and engine regulations changing at the same time.
And that means plenty of intrigue about what those challengers will look like in particular.
Here’s what F1 teams have confirmed about their launch plans:
Red Bull and sister outfit Racing Bulls were the first F1 teams to announce launch plans ahead of the 2026 season.
The liveries both teams will race in will be unveiled at an event being held in conjunction with Ford Racing, Red Bull Powertrains’ new-for-2026 partner, in Detroit on January 15.
But that announcement referred only to the launch of their “respective liveries for a new generation of cars” and not the designs with which they will start the new regulations era.
Haas had originally planned to reveal its car online on Friday January 23 – but has opted to bring the date forward by four days “to avoid over-congestion”.
Its 2026 car and its first colour scheme with Toyota as title sponsor will now debut on Monday that week.
Audi will reveal the livery for its first Formula 1 car in Berlin on January 20.
Fans will also be able to get a close-up look at the new livery the day after the launch.
Aston Martin’s new works engine partner Honda will be showcasing its new 2026 power unit on January 20, during a unusual ‘engine’ launch event in Tokyo.
Mercedes is splitting the launch of its 2026 F1 car, either side of the first pre-season test in Barcelona.
It will reveal images of its new car on January 22, three days before the private Barcelona test, before its proper season launch event takes place on February 2 with its drivers, key team personnel and the W17.
At a time when others are so far only committing to livery launch, Ferrari plans a proper reveal event for its 2026 car on January 23.
It will most likely be at Fiorano, which raises the prospect of some on-track running featuring too and perhaps this being the first time a 2026 F1 car is seen in action.
But it will only be what Ferrari calls the “spec A” version of the design at this stage.
No team will be looking forward more to having a new car than Alpine, last in the constructors’ in 2025.
Alpine will unveil the livery for its A526 in Barcelona on January 23 with drivers Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly in attendance.
Williams will showcase its 2026 livery on February 3, a few days after the Barcelona test.
It will use a fan-picked livery during pre-season testing before its proper 2026 design takes over for the real season.
Cadillac will reveal its first F1 livery during the Super Bowl halftime show on February 8.
Aston Martin became the first team to reveal when its 2026 car will be launched with an announcement on December 1 last year.
It said the AMR26 – its first Adrian Newey-designed, Honda-powered F1 car – will be revealed on February 9.
That comes 10 days after the end of the first on-track running for the new 2026 cars – a behind-closed-doors test at Barcelona from January 26-30.
On the same day as Aston Martin, McLaren will reveal its 2026 challenger.
It will stream its launch live from Bahrain from 3pm UK time.
Red Bull + Racing Bulls – January 15
Haas – January 19
Audi + Honda – January 20
Mercedes (renders) – January 22
Alpine + Ferrari – January 23
Mercedes (season launch) – February 2
Williams – February 3
Cadillac – February 8
Aston Martin, McLaren – February 9
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