F1 Teams Reveal 2026 Chassis Names Ahead of New Era
As the 2026 F1 season approaches, teams are revealing their new chassis names. Mercedes will run the W17, Williams the FW48, and Alpine the A526, while others like Ferrari and Cadillac have yet to confirm their designations.
With the 2026 Formula 1 season and its radical new regulations on the horizon, teams are beginning to formalize their campaigns by officially naming their new challengers. While some designations like Mercedes' W17 and Williams' FW48 continue long-standing traditions, others are still pending confirmation as the grid prepares for a new era of competition.
Why it matters:
A car's name is more than just a label; it's a core piece of a team's identity and a key marketing tool that signals the start of a new campaign. For fans, it's the first official hook for the upcoming season, the moniker that will be associated with every victory, defeat, and technical debate for the year to come.
The details:
Here's a look at the confirmed and expected chassis names for the 2026 grid:
- Mercedes: W17 (continuing its iconic "W" lineage)
- Williams: FW48 (upholding its traditional naming convention)
- Alpine: A526
- Aston Martin: AMR26
- Haas: VF-26
- Audi: RS-26 (marking the German manufacturer's official entry)
Still to be confirmed:
- McLaren: Expected to be the MCL40A.
- Red Bull Racing: Expected to be the RB22.
- Racing Bulls: Expected to be the VCARB 03.
- Ferrari: Yet to be announced.
- Cadillac: Yet to be announced.
What's next:
The naming period is just the beginning. The focus will soon shift to official car launch events, followed by pre-season testing. The first shakedown is set for Barcelona in late January, with two more tests in Bahrain before the season opener in Australia on March 8.