F1 2026 Launch Season: Early Start and What to Expect

Formula 1 is kicking off its 2026 campaign earlier than ever, with launch season beginning this week just over a month after the previous season concluded. The Red Bull teams are set to unveil their new Ford partnership liveries in Detroit on Thursday, marking the start of an unusually busy winter period driven by the sport's most significant technical regulation overhaul in history.

Why it matters:

The massive changes to chassis and engine regulations for 2026 have necessitated a compressed pre-season schedule featuring three tests instead of the usual one. This early start provides the first glimpse into how teams have interpreted the new rules, setting the stage for a highly competitive season where the pecking order could be completely reshuffled.

The details:

• Testing Schedule: Pre-season testing begins on January 26 in Barcelona, the earliest start since 2014, followed by sessions in Bahrain on February 11 and February 18.
• Car Reveals: While Red Bull will only show liveries on show cars, Mercedes (Jan 22), Ferrari, and Alpine (Jan 23) are expected to reveal images of their actual challengers.
• New Looks: Audi will debut its new red-black-titanium livery in Berlin, replacing Sauber's green and black. Cadillac will reveal its livery during the Super Bowl on February 8.
• Secrecy: Teams will likely control angles and details to hide innovations from rivals, as cars will evolve significantly before the season opener.

What's next:

With the Australian Grand Prix set for March 8, the focus now shifts to the track. The coming weeks will be crucial as teams translate their launch concepts into race pace, and early media soundbites from drivers and team principals will begin to shape the narrative for the new season.