Car launches have become Formula 1’s unofficial curtain-raiser, offering the first real glimpse into the season ahead of lights out. In these unveilings, teams don’t just present new machinery; they introduce refreshed liveries, commercial partnerships, and evolving visual identities that shape their image for the year.
The 2026 season delivered a mix of continuity and change. McLaren and Red Bull leaned into their established aesthetics, while others used the moment to signal new directions. With Cadillac’s much-anticipated entry and a series of subtle but telling design updates across the grid, each launch told its own story. Here’s a closer look at how every team revealed its 2026 challenger.
Cadillac
This year, a new team is joining the grid: the Cadillac F1 team. After teasing their launch for over a year, the team officially unveiled their livery during the Super Bowl on February 8th. Their car features a split design with black and white sponsors. The design garnered significant attention online almost immediately.
While the launch was impressive, it also brought controversy. Director Michael Bay is suing the team over their Super Bowl commercial, claiming they stole his ideas for the advert without compensation. Bay and his team are seeking $1.5 million in damages and claim they were “working nearly nonstop” before Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss let them go.
McLaren
Fresh off their Constructors’ Championship victory, McLaren unveiled their 2026 livery on February 9th alongside the announcement of a new title sponsor. The team confirmed its updated name — McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team — before the end of the previous season, marking a new commercial partnership with Mastercard. The launch itself took place through an online presentation broadcast from the Bahrain International Circuit, just two days before pre-season testing was set to begin at the same track.
Visually, the car remains very similar to McLaren’s recent designs, continuing the team’s distinctive papaya and black colour scheme. One subtle change is a more defined black stripe toward the rear of the car, giving the livery slightly sharper contrast and structure.
Ferrari
Ferrari has swapped their white stripe from last year for an oval that extends over the cockpit of the car. The main red colour is slightly lighter than last year’s as well. Their rear wing colour has changed too, from bright white to black. Ferrari launched their car on January 23 and quickly tested the car at an in-house shakedown in wet conditions.
Not only was the car changed to comply with the new regulations, but Ferrari also changed to a push-rod suspension system. When the car goes over a bump, it transfers the force from the wheels to the highest part of the chassis. Not only is this system easier to access, but it’s much easier to work on during race weekends. There are some risks, though. The setup raises the centre of gravity and can affect air flow.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls
Red Bull’s new livery is relatively similar to last year’s, though the bull image on the engine intake is noticeably bigger. Their reveal took place in Detroit, Michigan, the headquarters of their new power unit distributor, Ford. Not only was the Red Bull car there, but the sister team, Racing Bulls, was unveiled as well.
Racing Bulls stuck with their white-out livery, though there are more blue accents near the rear of the car. Both teams’ liveries included subtle nods to Ford and ‘throwback’ themes, referencing the manufacturer’s return to Formula 1 and its historic involvement in the sport.
Mercedes
On January 22nd, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team unveiled its 2026 challenger and immediately put the car on track at Silverstone Circuit for an initial shakedown. The livery remains relatively similar to last year’s design, though several subtle updates have been introduced. Most notably, silver stripes appear beneath the engine intake, a detail that reflects the branding of new sponsor Adidas.
The design also leans more heavily into black than silver compared to previous seasons, creating a stronger contrast across the car and allowing the familiar teal and silver accents to stand out. The team later hosted an online season launch event on February 2nd, where both drivers appeared alongside the physical car to present the final look ahead of the new campaign.
Audi
At a “global launch” event in Berlin on January 20th, Audi F1 Team revealed its first-ever Formula 1 livery. Although the name is new to the grid, the team itself is not entirely new, representing a rebrand of Sauber as the German manufacturer formally enters the sport.
The car features an almost entirely silver design, accented with bold red and black segments that reflect Audi’s established motorsport identity. An early concept of the livery had already been teased by Audi in November, but the January event marked the official presentation of the team’s visual identity ahead of the start of the season.
Alpine
Alpine F1 Team unveiled its new livery, featuring a Mercedes power unit, on January 23rd. Unlike the other ten teams, Alpine opted for a more unconventional launch setting, revealing the car at sea aboard a cruise ship rather than at a traditional presentation or factory event. The dramatic backdrop helped showcase the team’s signature pink and blue colour scheme against the open water.
While the design itself remains largely unchanged from last season, the livery continues to stand out on the grid. The bold contrast between the bright BWT pink and Alpine blue has become one of the most recognisable visual identities in Formula 1, ensuring the car remains instantly identifiable despite only minor updates to the overall look.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin has revealed its latest car, featuring subtle updates to its iconic British racing green livery, with lighter green accents that add contrast to the traditionally dark design. The team presented the car at a star-studded launch event in Saudi Arabia on February 9th, drawing significant attention from both fans and media.
The reveal carried additional interest as the team began their new era under the leadership of Adrian Newey. Alongside the leadership change, the car also marks a shift in power unit suppliers, with Aston Martin switching to a Honda engine after previously running a Mercedes power unit.
Haas
Originally scheduled for January 23rd, the car reveal from Haas F1 Team was moved forward to the 19th to avoid clashing with launches from Scuderia Ferrari and Alpine F1 Team. When the team unveiled the design, it revealed a livery that leans more heavily into white than in previous seasons, while still maintaining the red and black elements associated with the team’s identity.
The updated look also reflects the arrival of new title sponsor Toyota Gazoo Racing, with several design cues and branding elements incorporated into the car’s visual identity. Haas was also the first team to release digital images of its 2026 livery rather than hosting a full launch event, a format that several other teams would later follow during the car reveal season.
Williams
Unlike the rest of the teams, the first appearance of the FW48 car was not until the first Bahrain test on February 11th. They originally planned to reveal the livery on February 9th, which they still did, though the actual car was not shown. They also missed the Barcelona shakedown due to the car being incomplete.
The livery itself looks quite familiar, the entire car being their well-known dark blue save for the side pods, which are lighter as a nod to their sponsor, Barclays.
Looking Ahead
Although results on track will ultimately define the year ahead, car launches are the first glimpses into how teams present themselves each season. The 2026 grid combines heritage designs with subtle evolutions, reflecting both established identities and new partnerships across the paddock. From here, attention turns to the track, where the season itself will begin to take shape.