With the 2026 F1 season fast approaching, teams across the grid have confirmed key dates for the unveiling of their new cars ahead of the sport’s next major regulation shift. On January 16, Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls became the first two teams to unveil their 2026 livery at Detroit, Michigan, already.
The upcoming season marks the start of a new F1 era, as the grid moves away from the ground-effect regulations that defined the 2022-2025 period. From 2026, teams will operate under a revised technical framework, featuring completely reworked power units and aerodynamic concepts.
Attention is also on the changing landscape of the grid. Audi is set to join as a full works team, while Ford returns to the sport through its partnership with Red Bull Powertrains. Cadillac is also preparing to enter F1, expanding the grid to 11 teams for the first time in the modern era.
As development programs ramp up and launch schedules begin to take shape, fans will soon get their first look at how teams have interpreted the new rules. Below is a rundown of the key confirmed launch dates for the 2026 F1 cars.
2026 F1 Car Launch Dates
Red Bull Racing / Racing Bulls
As previously mentioned, Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls became the first two teams to launch their 2026 F1 liveries on January 16. The event took place at Detroit, Michigan, as a mark of respect for American automobile giants Ford, who have partnered with the Austrian company to make their power units from 2026 onwards.
Haas
Haas F1 will be launching their 2026 livery via social media on January 19. The American team was all set to do so on January 23 originally, but brought their launch forward after clashing with multiple other teams on the earlier date.
Audi
Audi will be revealing its 2026 challenger at Berlin on January 20. This will mark the team’s first outing on the grid with the Audi name, as team Hinwil moves away from the Sauber identity.
Ferrari
Ferrari will launch its 2026 car, named SF-26, on January 23. The Italian team is hoping for a change in fortunes this time around after finishing fourth in the 2025 constructors’ standings.
Alpine
Alpine will also be revealing their 2026 livery on January 23 at Barcelona, ahead of the first pre-season test in the Spanish city. The French outfit, which is an extension of Renault, is no longer a works team in 2026 and will be buying its power units from Mercedes.
Mercedes
While Mercedes is sharing renders of its 2026 car on January 22 via social media, the full reveal of the W17 is scheduled for February 2.
Williams
Williams will pull the covers of its 2026 car on February 3. But the British team has already revealed a special testing livery for the private Barcelona test, which was voted for by the fans.
Cadillac
As the newest team on the F1 grid, Cadillac is looking to make a huge statement with their livery reveal. The outfit will reveal its 2026 challenger via a commercial during half-time of the Super Bowl on February 8. For now, the American team has also revealed a special shakedown livery for the Barcelona test.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin will unveil its new livery on February 9. But fans of the Silverstone-based team have something interesting to look forward to on January 20 as Honda will reveal its 2026 power unit in Japan.
McLaren
Finally, the defending constructors’ champions, McLaren, will also be revealing its 2026 challenger on February 9 in Bahrain. The launch, which will be attended by both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, will be broadcast live from the Bahrain International Circuit. [via McLaren.com]
