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The 2026 season starts on 8 March in Australia and all 11 teams will launch their cars in the weeks before
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The new F1 season starts on 8 March 2026 in Australia – and teams are putting the finishing touches to their new cars.
McLaren won both world championships in 2025 with Lando Norris claiming his first drivers’ title at the last race in Abu Dhabi, pipping Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri to top spot.
Yet with a massive regulation shake-up over the off-season, the slate has been rubbed clean for the 24-race 2026 campaign, which includes F1’s 11th team Cadillac as a new addition to the grid.
Audi have also taken over Sauber while Red Bull have joined forces with Ford to launch their own engine. Aston Martin are now aligned with Honda, while Alpine will use Mercedes power units for the first time.
But when does each team launch their 2026 challenger and the car livery?
Red Bull/Racing Bulls – 15 January, Detroit
Audi – 20 January, Berlin
Alpine – 23 January, Barcelona
Haas – 23 January, online
Cadillac – 8 February, during Super Bowl
Aston Martin – 9 February, Saudi Arabia
McLaren – TBC
Mercedes – TBC
Ferrari – TBC
Williams – TBC
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