Breaking Down the 2026 F1 Chassis Names for Every Team
As F1 prepares for its massive 2026 regulation overhaul, teams are revealing the names for their new challengers. While some like Red Bull and Haas have confirmed their designations, others like Ferrari and Audi are still keeping fans waiting.
As Formula 1 gears up for its most significant regulatory overhaul in decades, teams are not just engineering new cars but also revealing the official chassis names for their 2026 challengers. While some squads have confirmed their designations, others are keeping fans in suspense, making the annual naming tradition a key part of the pre-season build-up for a landmark season.
Why it matters:
Chassis names are more than just labels; they are a core part of a team's identity and heritage. In a season defined by a complete technical reset with new power units and aerodynamics, these names symbolize a new chapter, connecting a team's past to its future and giving fans a first tangible piece of the 2026 puzzle to rally behind.
The details:
Here’s a rundown of what each team has confirmed, what's expected, and what remains a mystery.
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Confirmed Names:
- Alpine: A526 – Sticking to its established convention, combining the project's 'A500' codename with the year.
- Aston Martin: AMR26 – The first car designed with the full influence of new team principal Adrian Newey.
- Haas: VF-26 – Continuing a decade-long tradition, with 'VF' originally standing for 'Very First One,' the name of Gene Haas's first CNC machine in 1988.
- Red Bull: RB22 – A straightforward numerical progression for the team, following the RB18, RB19, and RB20.
- Williams: FW48 – Honoring team founder Frank Williams, a tradition the team has maintained for decades.
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Expected Names:
- McLaren: MCL40 (expected) – Anticipated to mark the 40th anniversary of Bruce McLaren founding the team in 1963.
- Mercedes: W17 (expected) – Continuing the 'W' for 'Wagen' (car in German) tradition that dates back to their 1950s title-winning cars.
- Racing Bulls: VCARB 03 (expected) – The third car to be produced under the VCARB (Visa Cash App RB) branding.
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To Be Confirmed:
- Audi: TBC – The German manufacturer showed a concept livery for an 'R26', nodding to the Renault that won the 2006 title, but the official name is yet to be revealed for its first full season as a works team.
- Cadillac: TBC – As a brand-new entrant, the American team has kept its first-ever chassis name under wraps, planning a major livery reveal during the Super Bowl.
- Ferrari: TBC – After a rare period of consistent naming (SF-23, SF-24), the Scuderia is set to announce its 2026 car's name at a planned event on January 23.
What's next:
The next major milestone will be the official car launches, where these names will be attached to physical machines. With Ferrari's reveal set for late January and Aston Martin's in early February, the pre-season hype will quickly build, culminating in the first glimpse of all 2026 contenders on track during pre-season testing.