The 2026 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be one of the most transformative in the sport’s history.
A wave of new car launches is already giving fans a first glance at how teams have interpreted the sweeping technical regulations introduced for this year that have dominated off-season conversations.
The 2026 regulations aim to produce lighter, more agile cars by reducing overall weight and shrinking dimensions such as wheelbase and body width, reversing the trend toward heavier machines.
One of the headline changes for 2026 is the overhaul of the power unit formula, which now calls for a 50/50 balance between internal combustion and electric power, coupled with the use of advanced sustainable fuels.
F1 teams have started to roll out their new designs for the upcoming season, with some teams deciding to not just change how their cars function on the track, but deviating from tradition in some cases.
The reigning champions will be taking their time to unveil their new car with the team confirming their launch in Bahrain on Feb. 9.
Part of the reason is that it will give them as much time as possible to maximize the design of their new car with the new regulation changes.
The team did provide a tease as it unveiled the sound of the engine.
It has been a tough stretch for Scuderia Ferrari and the team is hoping for the regulations to provide a necessary reset in 2026.
Ferrari’s response to the new rules was a completely rethought chassis and an overhaul of the livery’s colour scheme. Out is the traditional dark red look, which was then replaced with a glossy red-and-white livery that made its track debut in test runs at Fiorano.
Ferrari, led by veteran drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, is hoping that more than just the new car design will bring in better results in 2026.
Mercedes‑AMG Petronas F1 Team has revealed a refreshed livery and aerodynamic package.
The team revealed a ‘zebra’ livery in a sleek black and silver design for its 2026 car.
After dominating F1 for years, the Silver Arrows will be looking for their first world title since their constructors’ championship in 2021.
The official launch of the car will come on Feb. 2 with the team also providing engines for McLaren, Williams and Alpine.
Red Bull has been through a lot of changes over the last year and this season will see a major one on the track with the former champions going with a new engine.
In 2023, the team entered an agreement with Ford to be their new engine provider under the new regulations, marking Ford’s return to the sport after a 22-year absence.
This came after Honda announced a temporary exit from F1, but decided to return in a partnership with Aston Martin.
Red Bull unveiled the livery for both its team and Racing Bulls through a joint event with Ford.
It was not your traditional reveal as Red Bull pilot Martin Sonka used his plane to tear the sheet off the car, unveiling a new yet familiar look.
The livery is a callback to the gloss finish first seen when Red Bull made its debut in 2005.
The newest member of the F1 grid will leave fans waiting a little longer before revealing its proper 2026 livery.
For the Barcelona test, from Jan. 26-30, Cadillac’s first F1 car will run in a black livery with a large Cadillac logo.
This will help hide the “design secrets” of the car, according to the team, before it moves into its full 2026 colours at the first of two Bahrain tests.
When will the proper livery be shown to the world? The team is picking one of the top sporting events, as the American team will make the reveal at the Super Bowl halftime show.
Cadillac has assembled a blend of seasoned leadership and driving experience with Graeme Lowdon, a veteran of F1 team management, serving as team principal, while the racer lineup will be led by Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, who have a longstanding reputation in the sport.
Like Cadillac, Audi brings another new entrant to the grid after acquiring Sauber.
The rebrand showcases a striking titanium, red and black design. Many comments online showcase mixed reviews on the lack of sponsor logos on the livery.
Under the leadership of team principal Jonathan Wheatley and former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto, Audi has set an ambitious long-term goal of contending for world championships by 2030.
BWT Alpine is hoping 2026 represents a reset. After a difficult 2025 campaign that saw them finish at the rear of the Constructors’ Championship, Alpine revealed its A526 challenger in Barcelona.
Alpine’s livery was unveiled on a cruise ship off the Catalan coast near Barcelona. The car also features a Mercedes engine, leaving Renault behind after lacklustre results.
The actual livery design still boasts the team’s distinctive blue and pink colour scheme.
Haas F1 Team has already made a splash with the unveiling of its 2026 challenger with a refreshed livery that leans heavily into its new partnership.
Haas continues its partnership with Ferrari as its engine supplier for the coming season. The team also starts the new year with a new title sponsorship with Toyota Gazoo Racing, and will officially be entered as TGR Haas F1 Team.
Their reveal will come on Feb. 9, and it will be the first shown off under Adrian Newey who joined the team after his departure from Red Bull.
Unfortunately for Atlassian Williams F1 Team, their new car will take a little longer to get ready.
Work has been pushed back in order to get maximum performance out of their car, and they will be missing the first round of testing in Barcelona.
The new livery for the FW48 will be unveiled on Feb. 3.