Aston Martin First to Announce 2026 F1 Car Launch Date
Aston Martin has become the first F1 team to announce its 2026 car launch date, with the Adrian Newey-designed, Honda-powered AMR26 set to be revealed on February 9. This early announcement highlights the team's aggressive approach to the new regulatory era, signaling their ambition to challenge for top honors with a clean sheet design from the legendary Newey.
Aston Martin has officially set February 9 next year as the launch date for its 2026 Formula 1 car, the AMR26. This marks a significant moment as it will be the first car designed under the direction of the legendary Adrian Newey since his move from Red Bull, and will be powered by Honda.
Why it matters:
This announcement positions Aston Martin as the first team to reveal its 2026 car launch plans, offering an early glimpse into the new regulatory era. With Adrian Newey at the helm of design and a new power unit partnership with Honda, Aston Martin is signaling its serious intent to become a major force in Formula 1. The 2026 regulations represent a clean slate, and a strong start could redefine the pecking order.
The details:
- Launch Date: The AMR26 will be unveiled on February 9, 2026.
- Newey's Influence: This car is the first F1 machine to be overseen by design guru Adrian Newey since his highly publicized move to Aston Martin from Red Bull during the 2024 season.
- Honda Power: The AMR26 will utilize a Honda power unit, marking a new technical partnership for the Silverstone-based team.
- Testing Timeline: The launch date falls 10 days after the conclusion of the initial collective pre-season test, scheduled for January 26-30 at Barcelona. This will be a private, closed-door testing session.
- Team Strategies: F1 teams are expected to adopt varied approaches to their 2026 car reveals, with some launching before the Barcelona test and others, like Aston Martin, afterwards. Aston Martin is the first to publicly confirm its post-test launch strategy.
- Red Bull's Plans: In contrast, Red Bull and Racing Bulls previously indicated their 2026 livery reveal, featuring new partner Ford Racing, will take place in Detroit on January 15.
- Driver Lineup: Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are confirmed to continue as the driving pair for Aston Martin in the 2026 season.
- Newey's Role: While Newey was recently announced as Aston Martin's team principal from 2026, there has been some discussion regarding the precise scope of his responsibilities in this new position.
What's next:
The February 9 launch will provide the first visual indication of Aston Martin's direction for the new regulatory cycle. The focus will then shift to the on-track performance during testing and the early races of the 2026 season, as the F1 world eagerly awaits to see if Newey's design philosophy, combined with Honda's power, can propel Aston Martin to championship contention.