2026 F1 Car Launch Schedule: Ferrari and Alpine Up Next
With Mercedes' W17 reveal complete, the 2026 launch season accelerates. Ferrari and Alpine are set to unveil their new challengers this Friday, with the remaining teams following suit ahead of the Bahrain test in February.
Mercedes has officially pulled the wraps off its W17, marking the fifth team to showcase its 2026 colors. However, the rapid pace of launch season means there is little time to catch your breath. Ferrari and Alpine are scheduled to reveal their new cars just days after the Silver Arrows, setting the stage for a busy period of unveilings ahead of the first on-track action in Barcelona.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season brings a radical regulatory overhaul, including active aerodynamics and increased hybrid power. These early reveals provide the first insight into the design philosophies teams are adopting, offering a preliminary preview of the competitive order before the cars even hit the track for pre-season testing.
The details:
The launch calendar is packed, with several teams choosing to unveil their contenders in quick succession:
- Friday, Jan 23: Ferrari and Alpine will both reveal their cars on the same day, keeping the momentum high immediately after the Mercedes launch.
- Tuesday, Feb 3: Williams is set to showcase its new livery later in the month.
- Sunday, Feb 9: Cadillac is making a strategic splash by aligning its launch with the Super Bowl.
- Monday, Feb 10: Aston Martin and McLaren will round out the unveilings just days before the season begins.
What's next:
The focus shifts immediately from digital renders to on-track reality. Mercedes will conduct a shakedown on January 22nd before teams head to Barcelona for a three-day test starting January 27th. By the time the paddock arrives in Sakhir for the Bahrain test on February 11th, all 11 teams will have officially launched their 2026 challengers.