McLaren to unveil 2026 F1 livery in Bahrain ahead of pre-season testing
McLaren will publicly reveal its 2026 F1 car livery in a live-streamed event from Bahrain on February 9, featuring drivers Norris and Piastri. The launch precedes the crucial final pre-season test at the same circuit, setting the visual identity for the team's latest championship contender.
McLaren will reveal the livery for its 2026 Formula 1 car in a dedicated event in Bahrain on Monday, February 9, becoming the penultimate team to show its colors before pre-season testing begins. The live-streamed unveiling will feature drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri alongside team leadership, setting the stage for the second phase of winter testing at the same circuit.
Why it matters:
The livery launch is more than just a paint reveal; it's the first official look at a team's identity for the new season and a key marketing moment that galvanizes fan interest. For McLaren, following a strong 2025 campaign, this event kicks off their final preparations and builds momentum before the crucial winter tests that will determine their initial competitiveness in 2026.
The details:
- The unveiling event is scheduled for 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT) in Bahrain.
- Key personnel, including World Champion Lando Norris, teammate Oscar Piastri, Team Principal Andrea Stella, and CEO Zak Brown, are all expected to be present.
- Fans can watch the event live via the official McLaren YouTube channel.
- This follows Cadillac's own livery reveal during the Super Bowl earlier the same day, with Aston Martin set to complete the trio of reveals later on February 9.
The big picture:
The event comes just two days before the second and final pre-season test gets underway at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 11-13. Teams have already completed one test in Barcelona, where McLaren ran its new car in a plain, unbranded guise, keeping its 2026 color scheme a secret until now. The Bahrain test sessions are critical for teams to finalize their packages and gather data on the 2026-spec tires and aerodynamic components before the season opener.
What's next:
Immediately after the livery reveal, focus will shift entirely to on-track performance. The three-day test in Bahrain will provide the first public indication of each team's pace and reliability with their finalized cars. For McLaren, the goal will be to build on their 2025 momentum and ensure their 2026 challenger is a consistent front-runner from the very first race of the new season.