F1 2026 Car Launches: Teams Unveil New Cars and Liveries

The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to introduce a new era of significantly modified cars and engines, making this year's 'launch season' highly anticipated. Pre-season testing will commence at the end of January, starting with private running in Barcelona, and teams will showcase their 2026 cars and liveries several weeks earlier than in previous years as they prepare for the 24-race campaign beginning in March. Below, find the latest dates for livery and full-car reveals as they are confirmed. Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls will kick off their new engine era by unveiling their 2026 car liveries at Ford's season launch event in Detroit on January 15. Haas has rescheduled their launch to January 19 to avoid clashing with Ferrari and Alpine, and will unveil the livery for their 2026 car, the VF-26, online. Sauber's transition to Audi will be officially announced at a 'global launch' event in Berlin on January 20, where the team's 2026 livery will be revealed. Aston Martin's new partners, Honda, will hold their own event in Tokyo on January 20 to mark their full return to F1. Mercedes will showcase the first renders of their latest challenger, the W17, on January 22. After a private test in Barcelona, the team will host a season launch event online on February 2, featuring the W17 and drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Ferrari will launch their 2026 car on January 23, ahead of the first pre-season test in Barcelona. Alpine has promised to reveal something new at their event on January 23, aiming for a significant step forward in F1's new era. Williams will unveil a 'new look' for the team when they launch the livery for their 2026 car, the FW48, on February 3. The team's maiden car livery will be shown in a TV advert during the Super Bowl on February 8. The eagerly anticipated unveiling of the first Aston Martin car designed by Adrian Newey will take place on February 9. The major changes in 2026 include a complete overhaul of the technical regulations, which will see significant changes to the power unit, chassis, and aerodynamic rules. The new regulations are expected to cause a shake-up in the pecking order, with the teams having worked on their 2026 cars for several years. The new cars will feature 'Overtake Mode' and 'Active Aero', allowing drivers to use more power on designated straights and enabling the front and rear wings to move before and after corners, respectively.