2026 F1 Car Launches: Cadillac and Williams Reveal Test Liveries
As the 2026 F1 season approaches, Cadillac and Williams have kicked off the launch season by revealing their pre-season test liveries. While hiding final design secrets, both teams offered a glimpse into their new identities ahead of official reveals.
The Formula 1 grid is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades, and the launch season for the new 2026 regulations is officially in full swing. With teams staggering their reveals between pre-season tests, keeping track of the new machinery is becoming a challenge. Cadillac and Williams have stepped up to the plate first, showcasing their interim liveries ahead of the real action.
Why it matters:
The 2026 rule reset represents a massive opportunity for teams to reset the competitive order. These early reveals are strategic moves—balancing the need to generate hype with the necessity of protecting intellectual property. For a new entrant like Cadillac, these early visuals are crucial for brand establishment, while Williams leverages fan engagement to build momentum ahead of the new campaign.
The details:
- Cadillac's Stealth Mode: The brand-new General Motors entry will run a striking black livery during the Barcelona test. This minimalist design, featuring a large Cadillac logo, is a deliberate tactic to obscure "design secrets" before the car's competitive debut.
- The team plans to pull the covers off its proper 2026 colors during the Super Bowl halftime show, targeting a massive global audience.
- Williams' Fan Choice: Williams took a different approach, allowing fans to vote on their pre-season test design. The winning 'flow state' livery features navy blue lines flowing over a white background.
- This design will be used across all three pre-season tests, but the team's official race livery for the 2026 campaign remains under wraps until a dedicated event on February 3.
What's next:
While these liveries offer a sneak peek, the technical substance will remain hidden until the cars hit the track in anger. The focus now shifts to the upcoming Bahrain tests, where the rest of the grid is expected to join the reveal party, setting the stage for a thrilling new era of Formula 1.