All confirmed 2026 F1 car launch dates, team and livery reveals ahead of new Formula 1 regulations.
These reveals, spanning January and February 2026, will showcase updated liveries and potentially initial car designs under the sport’s biggest technical overhaul in decades.
With active aerodynamics, enhanced hybrid power units, and new entrants like Cadillac and Audi, fans eagerly await these events leading into pre-season testing which kicks off with a private Barcelona shakedown from January 26-30, followed by public Bahrain sessions on February 11-13 and 18-20.
Confirmed dates so far cover ten of eleven F1 teams, with McLaren yet to make its announcement.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls – January 15
Red Bull kicks off the 2026 F1 launch season on January 15 in Detroit, Michigan, hosting a joint season and livery reveal alongside Racing Bulls.
This location underscores the new Red Bull-Ford Powertrains partnership, celebrating the American manufacturer’s integration into the RBPT era with a high-profile event.
Expect no full car reveal here, as secrecy norms persist; instead, the RB21 successor’s livery will dominate, teasing chassis innovations under 2026 active aero rules.
With defending champion Max Verstappen at the helm, Red Bull leverages this early slot to build momentum, especially after parting with Honda engines.
This strategic timing allows Red Bull valuable feedback from the Barcelona test before rivals’ reveals, positioning them as pace-setters in development convergence.
Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies highlighted the launch as a “bold step into the future,” emphasizing engineering synergy ahead of the March 6 Australian Grand Prix opener.
“The launch of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains era represents not only a bold step into the future, but a powerful expression of what’s possible when world-class engineering, innovation, and passion come together,” Mekies said.
“To see the energy, precision, and scale behind this project is inspiring. It’s the culmination of several years of collaboration between two great names in motorsport.
“We’re incredibly excited to begin this new chapter, driven by the same determination and excellence that defines both Ford and Red Bull.”
Audi – January 20
Audi stages its global season launch on January 20 in Berlin, Germany, unveiling the 2026 Sauber successor’s livery.
Marking Audi’s full F1 factory team entry, this home-soil event celebrates the brand’s motorsport heritage amid Sauber’s transition. Expect driver announcements and power unit teases, with Nico Hulkenberg spearheading the lineup.
Mercedes -January 22
Mercedes will unveil digital renders of the W17 challenger complete with its new livery design online on January 22, just days before private testing kicks off in Barcelona.
Following the initial renders, the team will host a full season launch event on February 2, which fans can access via live online streaming across Mercedes‘ digital platforms.
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Ferrari – January 23
Ferrari confirms January 23 for a full F1 car launch, diverging from livery-only trends by assembling the 2026 machine the previous day.
While the team failed to confirm the location, it is expected drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will hit the track in Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car for the first time on the same day as part of a shakedown run at their Fiorano test track.
“We will finish the assembly of the car the day before the launch, the launch will be January 23, which means we will finish the car on the 22nd, and this is to be aggressive,” Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said.
“But everybody will do the same, now we have a convergence in the approach of the season, and everybody will do the same.”
Alpine – January 23
Alpine F1 Team will reveal its 2026 livery on January 23 in Barcelona, coinciding with Ferrari and Haas, just three days before the first pre-season test gets underway for test proximity.
The Spanish event heralds the Mercedes power unit switch, refreshing Enstone’s midfield bid under new regs. Flavio Briatore’s influence promises spectacle, with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto in attendance.
Haas – January 23
Haas opts for an online livery reveal on January 23, forgoing live events for efficiency. The VF-26 unveil aligns with Barcelona test prep, suiting the small U.S. outfit’s streamlined operations.
The new livery is set to feature prominent branding from new title sponsor Toyota, while Ferrari customer ties ensure competitive baseline, with Esteban Ocon anchoring the lineup.
Williams – February 3
Williams will unveil their striking new design on February 3, just weeks after the car’s initial shakedown testing in Barcelona where the team will run a one-off livery voted for by fans.
This comes as the Grove-based outfit embarks on its first season as the rebranded Atlassian Williams F1 Team along with a new logo, following a resurgent 2025 campaign that saw the team secure fifth place in the constructors’ championship.
Cadillac – February 8
The Cadillac F1 Team makes a blockbuster statement with its February 8 livery reveal during the Super Bowl TV ad at Levi’s Stadium, California.
As Formula 1’s 11th team, backed by TWG, this high-visibility slot leverages U.S. football’s massive audience for instant brand impact.
Cadillac hopes to make an impact right from the start under Ferrari power unit partnership with experienced drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez steering their debut campaign.
Aston Martin – February 9
Aston Martin caps 2026 F1 car launch dates on February 9 with the actual AMR26 car reveal, potentially at Silverstone or Saudi Arabia.
This will mark Adrian Newey’s design debut under the new Honda power unit partnership, with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in attendance.
It is important to note Honda will unveil its power unit in a separate event on January 20 in Tokyo.
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