F1 2026 Car Launch Schedule: Teams Set January Reveals for New Era
F1 teams have begun announcing their 2026 car launch schedules, with reveals starting January 15th. The new season features a major technical regulation change, making these presentations the first look at each team's direction for the new era. Red Bull, Ferrari, Audi, and Cadillac have confirmed dates, while Mercedes and McLaren's plans remain unconfirmed.
The 2026 Formula 1 season, featuring a radically new technical era, will begin its public unveiling in mid-January as teams schedule their car launches. Red Bull, Ferrari, and Audi are among the first to confirm dates, with presentations ranging from traditional stage events to online reveals and even a Super Bowl commercial.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season introduces the most significant technical overhaul in recent F1 history, with new power units, aerodynamic concepts, and chassis regulations. How and when teams choose to reveal their interpretations of these new rules offers the first glimpse into their confidence, marketing strategy, and readiness for the new era, setting the narrative tone before pre-season testing begins.
The Details:
The launch period is condensed into a busy few weeks starting January 15th, with a clear split in presentation styles.
- Early Starters: The launch window opens with a joint Ford event in Detroit on January 15th, featuring both the Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls (VCARB) teams, highlighting their strengthened partnership with the American manufacturer.
- European Reveals: A cluster of launches is scheduled for January 23rd, with Ferrari presenting in Maranello, Alpine in Barcelona, and Haas opting for an online-only presentation.
- Audi's Grand Entrance: The new Audi factory team will host a major two-day event in Berlin on January 20th and 21st, marking its formal entry as a full constructor.
- American Flair: Andretti Cadillac has planned a high-profile reveal via a Super Bowl commercial on February 8th in Santa Clara, California, leveraging one of the world's largest advertising stages.
- Unconfirmed Plans: As of now, Mercedes, McLaren, and Williams have not announced their 2026 launch dates or formats.
A notable caveat is that not every "launch" will feature a complete, running car. Teams have increasingly used "livery launches" in recent years, revealing only the paint scheme on a show car or the previous year's chassis, with the actual new car sometimes debuting later at the first test.
What's next:
Following the launch events, the new cars will hit the track for the first time during a private shakedown test in Barcelona from January 26-30. The true competitive picture will begin to form during the official pre-season tests in Bahrain, scheduled for February 11-13 and 18-20. These tests will provide the first real-world data on the performance and reliability of the 2026 designs, separating marketing hype from on-track potential as the grid prepares for the season opener.