McLaren Sets 2026 Car Launch Date for Bahrain

McLaren has finally confirmed it will unveil its 2026 Formula 1 car on February 9 at the Bahrain International Circuit, making it the last team on the grid to lock in its launch plans. The announcement comes as the Woking-based squad enters the new season as the reigning double world champions, looking to defend its constructors' and drivers' titles.

Why it matters:

As the dominant force of the last two seasons, all eyes will be on McLaren to see if their new challenger can continue their winning streak. The launch is the first major indicator of how the team has approached the new regulations and whether they can maintain the edge that saw them win back-to-back championships by significant margins.

The details:

• Launch Date & Venue: The new car will be revealed on February 9 at the Bahrain International Circuit, just two days before the start of official pre-season testing at the same track.
• Championship Pedigree: McLaren enters the 2026 season as the reigning Constructors' Champion for the second consecutive year, having dominated the 2025 campaign with a 364-point lead over Ferrari.
• Driver's Title: The team's success was capped by Lando Norris securing his first Drivers' Championship in 2025, marking a historic return to the top for the British driver.
• Car Name: While not officially confirmed, the new challenger is expected to follow the team's recent convention and carry an 'MCL' designation.

Looking ahead:

The February 9 launch will provide the first glimpse of the machinery McLaren hopes will power it to a third consecutive championship. With the car hitting the track for testing almost immediately, the team will have little time to celebrate its reveal before the real work of validating its 2026 title defense begins.