F1 2026 launch season schedule begins with Red Bull and Racing Bulls reveals
The 2026 Formula 1 season launch schedule is taking shape, with Red Bull and Racing Bulls kicking off the new era with livery reveals on January 15. The new regulations, described as the 'biggest changes ever,' promise a major shake-up, making these early glimpses crucial for understanding the competitive landscape.
Formula 1's 2026 season, marking a new era of radically changed cars and engines, is set to begin with a highly anticipated launch schedule starting in mid-January. Teams are unveiling their liveries and cars earlier than in recent years to ramp up preparations for the 24-race campaign, which begins in March, with pre-season testing starting in late January.
Why it matters:
The 2026 technical regulations represent the most significant overhaul in years, affecting power units, chassis, and aerodynamics. A strong start in this new era is critical, as the pecking order established next year could define competitiveness for the subsequent five seasons under these rules. These launches offer the first clues about which teams have adapted best to the new challenge.
The Details:
The launch calendar is gradually being confirmed by teams:
- January 15: Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls will reveal their 2026 car liveries at a joint Ford season launch event in Detroit, Michigan.
- January 23: Alpine has scheduled a reveal, promising "we've got something to show you," while Haas will unveil the livery for its VF-26 car online.
- February 8: The new Cadillac F1 team will debut its maiden car livery in a television advertisement during the Super Bowl in California.
- February 9: Aston Martin will reveal the AMR26, the first car designed for the team by legendary engineer Adrian Newey, two days before public testing begins in Bahrain.
- Dates TBC: McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams, and Audi have yet to confirm their launch plans.
The Big Picture:
The 2026 regulations are designed to create a major competitive reset. Key changes include the removal of the DRS system, replaced by moving aerodynamic components intended to allow cars to follow more closely and increase overtaking opportunities. Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle has labeled these changes the "biggest ever" in the sport. Teams like Alpine, which finished last in 2025 after shifting focus early to 2026, and Aston Martin, with its new technical leadership, are banking on this reset to propel them up the grid.
What's Next:
Following the launches, the first on-track running will be a behind-closed-doors test in Barcelona in late January, followed by the official pre-season test in Bahrain ahead of the season opener. The performance seen in these early tests will begin to validate—or disprove—the potential hinted at during the launch season, setting the narrative for the year ahead.