Formula 1 is entering one of the most transformative years in its modern history as teams prepare to unveil their 2026 cars, liveries, and launch plans ahead of a season shaped by major technical regulation changes. With launch events beginning in mid-January and three pre-season test sessions scheduled before the first race in March, the excitement around F1’s new era is building rapidly.
Key Launch Dates & Events
January 15 – Red Bull & Racing Bulls Joint Launch (Detroit)
The 2026 launch season officially gets underway with Oracle Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls hosting a joint reveal event at Ford’s Detroit facility on January 15. This event will showcase both teams’ liveries and chassis ahead of their debut year with the Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit — marking a new chapter in their partnership.
January 20 – Audi Revolut F1 Team Launch (Berlin)
One of the most-anticipated new entries, Audi Revolut F1 Team, will present their first official race livery in Berlin on January 20. The launch will highlight the team’s branding and identity as it gears up for its F1 debut in 2026.
January 22 – Mercedes First Look (Digital Reveal)
Mercedes will release renders of its 2026 challenger, the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE, through its digital channels on January 22—providing the first detailed look at the car shaped by F1’s new regulations.
January 23 – Alpine, Haas & Ferrari Launches
A busy Friday sees multiple teams reveal early details:
Alpine reveals its car in Barcelona, ahead of pre-season testing.
Haas F1 Team unveils its new livery online.
Ferrari confirms its 2026 car launch date, expected to be held soon.
February 2 – Mercedes Full Season Launch
Mercedes will hold a dedicated digital season launch for its 2026 challenger on February 2, featuring team leadership and driver insights into the new car and regulations.
February 3 – Williams Livery Reveal
The Atlassian Williams F1 Team will unveil its FW48 livery on February 3, showcasing the design that will carry the team through the 2026 season.
February 8 – Cadillac Livery Reveal:
Cadillac F1 Team, another new entrant, will present its first livery during the Super Bowl broadcast on February 8—a high-profile showcase for the team’s debut design.
February 9 – Aston Martin Launch
Aston Martin has scheduled its launch event for February 9, where the AMR26—the first F1 car designed under Team Principal Adrian Newey—will be revealed.
Pre-Season Testing Schedule
Before the FIA Formula 1 World Championship begins, teams will run a series of tests to shake down their cars and begin development for the season:
January 26–30 – First Pre-Season Test (Barcelona)
A private, closed-doors test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will allow teams to run their new cars under real track conditions for the first time.
February 11–13 – Second Pre-Season Test (Bahrain)
The first public test session in Bahrain gives media and fans a closer look at the 2026 challengers in action.
February 18–20 – Third Pre-Season Test (Bahrain)
The final test before the season begins allows teams one last chance to refine setup and gather data before competitive action kicks off.
What This Means for F1 in 2026
A New Technical Era
The 2026 season introduces a ground-up rewrite of technical regulations, including revamped aerodynamics, hybrid power unit changes, and updated chassis designs. These changes are expected to affect car design philosophies across the grid—making the launches particularly important for technical insights into each team’s approach.
Record Calendar
Alongside the launch and testing schedule, the 2026 season will feature a record 24-race calendar, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6 to 8—signaling a full return to global competition with intense regulation-driven anticipation.
