McLaren Confirms 2026 Launch Date as Final Team on Grid

Reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions McLaren has finally confirmed it will unveil its 2026 challenger on February 9 at the Bahrain International Circuit. The Woking-based outfit is the final team on the grid to announce its launch plans, doing so just ahead of pre-season testing. After a dominant 2025 season, all eyes will be on the car tasked with defending their hard-won titles against a resurgent field of competitors.

Why it matters:

As the team that dominated the 2025 season, McLaren's new car is the benchmark every rival is aiming to beat. The launch will provide the first clear look at the philosophy and design choices the team has made to defend its titles against a grid of hungry competitors, particularly after a thrilling drivers' championship that went down to the wire.

The details:

• Launch Date: February 9 at the Bahrain International Circuit, immediately preceding the first pre-season test.
• Championship Reign: McLaren enters 2026 as the two-time defending Constructors' Champions, having won narrowly in 2024 and then dominated in 2025, finishing 364 points ahead of Mercedes.
• Driver Lineup: The team retains its champion lineup of Lando Norris, who secured his first title in 2025 by just two points, and Oscar Piastri, who finished the season 13 points behind his teammate.

What's next:

The February 9 launch will be the first opportunity for the world to see if McLaren can carry its 2025 dominance into the new season. Following the reveal, the team will immediately begin track testing at the same venue, where the true potential of their new challenger will start to emerge ahead of the season-opening race.