The 2026 Fórmula 1 season will begin on March 8th with the Austrália GP, in Melbourne. Antes In addition, the teams individually disclose the single-seaters developed under the new technical and power unit regulations that come into force next year. Algumas teams have already confirmed official presentation dates, while others still keep the calendar open.
The return to separate launches marks a difference compared to 2025, when all cars were displayed in a single event organized by the category. The change responds to requests from the teams themselves, who want greater control over the communication of their projects.
RB and Red Bull open the calendar in January
The two teams from the Red Bull group will be the first to show the 2026 cars. The event is scheduled for January 15th at Detroit, at Estados Unidos, at the headquarters of Ford.
The choice of location reinforces the new technical partnership with the American brand, which replaces Honda as engine supplier from next year. The models have not yet received official names.
Alpine presents project three days before testing
The French team has scheduled the launch for January 23rd. The date is close to the start of the pre-season, scheduled for January 26th at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
The car is called A526 and will be powered by Mercedes engines, ending the own power unit project started in 2021. The change is part of the technical restructuring of the Alpine.
The final pieces of the puzzle 🧩
—Formula 1 (@F1)December 2, 2025
Our 2026 grid is locked in!#F1 pic.twitter.com/hZ96oaLSPg
Aston Martin has the Adrian Newey project
The British team scheduled a presentation for February 9th. The AMR26 model represents Adrian Newey’s first full work as the team’s technical director.
The car also debuts the partnership with Honda as an engine supplier. Aston Martin invested heavily in infrastructure and hiring to fight for the top positions from 2026 onwards.
Audi prepares official debut in the category
The German brand, which takes over the structure of the old Sauber, confirmed its launch in January, with no exact date announced. Pilot Gabriel Bortoleto is part of the starting duo.
The R26 car uses black, silver and red colors and has its own engine developed by Audi. The manufacturer’s entry represents the 11th team on the 2026 grid.
The project began to be prepared in 2023, when the German group announced the purchase of the Swiss team.
Cadillac chooses Super Bowl day for presentation
The new American team, which enters F1 in 2026, presents the car on February 8th. The date coincides with the completion of the Super Bowl LX, in the Estados Unidos.
The Cadillac will use Ferrari engines in the first year. The plan foresees the development of its own power unit in the following years.
Traditional teams still define strategies
Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Haas and Williams have not announced official launch dates so far. Todas work intensively on projects for the new regulation.
McLaren has already confirmed that the car will be called MCL40A and will have Mercedes engines. Williams named its model FW48, also supplied in Germany.
Ferrari began development in April 2025, after a season considered below expectations. The Mercedes continues to produce its own engines, as per the current regulations.
Technical changes alter the competitive landscape
The 2026 regulation introduces power units with greater electric participation and the use of 100% sustainable fuel. The cars will have active aerodynamics on the front and rear wings.
The changes aim to reduce costs and increase the sustainability of the category. Equipes with greater development capacity can gain a significant advantage in the early years of the new era.
The distribution of wind tunnel and CFD times follows the same current criteria, benefiting teams that finished the 2025 championship in lower positions.
Calendar confirmed so far
- RB and Red Bull: January 15
- Alpine: January 23
- Audi: January (exact date to be defined)
- Cadillac: February 8
- Aston Martin: February 9
Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Haas and Williams have not yet released official information about their launch events.