F1 2026 car launch dates: What you need to know
The 2026 Formula 1 season is already fast approaching with car launches planned as early as January 15.
Although McLaren has yet to confirm reveal dates, all other teams have announced when fans will be able to see their 2026 designs ahead of the season.
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Red Bull and Racing Bulls are scheduled to kick off the launches on January 15 with an event in Detroit, Michigan, and it is currently Aston Martin that will close the launches on February 9.
2026 will bring a new wave of regulations to the championship as well as the addition of the all-new Cadillac team, while Audi will take over Sauber.
This is what we know so far about the launch events.
January 15: Red Bull, Racing Bulls
Location: Detroit, Michigan
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Red Bull and Racing Bulls will reveal their 2026 liveries at a joint event with Ford, which will mark the debut of Red Bull Powertrains in collaboration with the American brand.
“The launch of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains era represents not only a bold step into the future, but also a powerful expression of what is possible when world-class engineering, innovation and passion come together,” said Laurent Mekies, CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing.
“Seeing the energy, precision and scale behind this project is inspiring. It is the culmination of several years of collaboration between two great names in motorsport. We are incredibly excited to begin this new chapter, driven by the same determination and excellence that defines both Ford and Red Bull.”
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January 19: Haas
Location: N/A
While Haas had originally planned to release the livery of its 2026 F1 challenger, the VF-26, on January 23, it rearranged the release to avoid clashing with Alpine and Ferrari, who also scheduled their release for January 23. The American team will now release digital renderings and videos of the livery, which will be the first with its new title sponsor, Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), on social media on January 19.
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January 20: Audi, Honda engine
Audi
Location: Berlin
Audi will take over Sauber in 2026. The German manufacturer will hold a “global launch” event in Berlin to kick off the season and unveil the 2026 livery.
Honda engine
Location: Tokyo
Honda is expected to launch its own powertrain on January 20 in Tokyo, independent of Aston Martin. The Japanese manufacturer begins an exclusive partnership with the Silverstone team after parting ways with Red Bull at the end of 2025.
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January 22: Mercedes
Mercedes is expected to reveal the W17 livery on January 22 via a social media release before private testing takes place the following week. The team will host a separate launch event – scroll down to see more information.
Alpine
Location: Barcelona
Alpine will reveal its F1 2026 livery on January 23 at an event in Barcelona. The 2026 season marks not only the introduction of the new regulations but also the start of the partnership between the French team and Mercedes in terms of powertrains.
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Ferrari
Location: to be confirmed
Ferrari will reveal its 2026 livery on January 23. Although the location has not yet been confirmed, the Maranello team usually hosts a live event at its historic track.
“We will finish assembling the car the day before the launch, the launch will be on January 23, which means we will finish the car on the 22nd, and that is to be aggressive,” said Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.
“But everyone will do the same thing, now we have a convergence in the approach to the season, and everyone will do the same thing.
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February 2: Mercedes
After revealing the W17 livery on January 22, Mercedes will host a launch event on February 2. Fans will be able to watch live as the event will be streamed online. Drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be in attendance alongside Mercedes CEO and team principal Toto Wolff.
February 3: Williams
Location: to be confirmed
Williams has confirmed that it will reveal the FW48 livery on February 3. We have yet to know whether this will be via a social media post or a live event with drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz alongside team principal James Vowles. The Grove kit will also begin the season with a fan-voted livery.
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February 8: Cadillac
Location: California
Cadillac, which joins the F1 grid as the 11th team, is going big for its first livery reveal. Team USA will debut the livery in a television commercial during the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium on February 8.
February 9: Aston Martin
Aston Martin has confirmed that it will reveal the AMR26 on February 9. The 2026 car will be the first designed by Adrian Newey for the Lawrence Stroll-owned company. Although the location of the event has not yet been confirmed, the team usually chooses to host it at its Silverstone headquarters with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in attendance.
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