All the key pre-season dates for F1 2026

The countdown is officially on to the 2026 season getting underway, with several key dates already earmarked for launches and testing during the pre-season.

A number of teams have announced when they will hold their respective launch events ahead of the campaign, while there will be three tests – held across two locations – prior to the first race on the calendar taking place.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the important 2026 pre-season dates…

January 15 – Red Bull/Racing Bulls launch

The first to announce their launch plans for 2026, the Red Bull and Racing Bulls outfits are set to team up – alongside Ford – to reveal their respective liveries in a joint event.

Ahead of Red Bull Ford Powertrains’ debut season as a power unit manufacturer for both teams, the launch will take place at the United States home of Ford in Detroit, Michigan, on January 15.

January 19 – Haas livery reveal

After initially announcing their launch for January 23, Haas later moved the date of their livery reveal to January 19.

The American squad have confirmed that they will reveal their challenger for the new campaign online.

January 20 – Audi launch

Audi have confirmed that they will host their launch in Berlin on January 20, marking the manufacturer’s debut season after taking over the Kick Sauber outfit.

The squad will present their full race livery before holding a public opening on the following day, allowing fans to experience the unique occasion after they revealed an early concept livery in November, featuring titanium, carbon black and Audi red as the predominant colours.

January 20 – Honda power unit launch

Also taking place on January 20 is the launch of Honda’s new power unit, ahead of the manufacturer partnering exclusively with Aston Martin in 2026.

The event, which will be livestreamed to fans on YouTube, is being held in Tokyo and will feature talks from Toshihiro Mibe, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin, and Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

January 22 – Mercedes unveil renders of the W17

One of two dates in the diary for Mercedes, the Silver Arrows will offer up an initial first look at their 2026 challenger when they release renders on January 22 across their digital channels.

That first glimpse of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE comes just before private pre-season testing in Barcelona, with a dedicated season launch show to follow on Monday, February 2.

January 23 – Alpine launch

Alpine shared the news via social media that their launch will be held in Barcelona on January 23, just a few days before the private pre-season test gets underway.

The Enstone-based outfit did not share further details about the nature of their event, but added the caption: “We've got something to show you...”

January 23 – Ferrari launch

Also launching on January 23 are Ferrari, with boss Fred Vasseur confirming the team's launch date during his annual Christmas end-of-season press conference at Fiorano, Italy.

Further details have not yet been revealed about the event.

January 26-30 – Private pre-season test

Ahead of a season that will feature a wave of new technical regulations, three tests will take place before the 2026 season begins.

The first of these will be held privately at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya across five days, starting on January 26 and ending on January 30.

February 2 – Mercedes launch

Following on from that first look on January 22, Mercedes will hold a dedicated 2026 digital season launch show on February 2.

The season launch – which will be streamed via Mercedes’ social media pages – is set to feature Silver Arrows CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff, continuing drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, as well as insight on the sweeping technical changes from senior team members.

February 3 – Williams livery reveal

On February 3, Williams will unveil the livery for their 2026 challenger – the FW48 – with the team describing it as a "striking" new look.

The team go into 2026 with plenty of momentum after their fifth-placed finish in 2025, with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz again their driver pairing.

February 8 – Cadillac livery reveal

Cadillac are preparing for their debut season in Formula 1 – and will mark it in style by revealing their livery during a television advert at the Super Bowl on February 8.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will both make their returns to the grid to race for the American squad.

February 9 – Aston Martin launch

The AMR26 – Aston Martin’s 2026 challenger – will be launched on February 9, the team confirmed in December.

While the British outfit did not reveal further details of the unveiling, the news was announced via a social media post showing a pencil drawing the name of the car, perhaps as a nod to designer Adrian Newey becoming Team Principal as of next season.

February 11-13 – Second pre-season test

The second run of pre-season testing will see the drivers and teams head to the Bahrain International Circuit between February 11-13.

This test will be slightly shorter than the first, spanning three days.

February 18-20 – Third pre-season test

A third and final pre-season test follows from February 18-20, again taking place at the Bahrain International Circuit.

This will offer the teams a final chance to finetune their cars before the season officially gets underway.

March 6-8 – Australian Grand Prix

After all of the above has taken place, the 2026 championship begins with the Australian Grand Prix on the weekend of March 6-8.

The race will form a double header with the Chinese Grand Prix one week later, in what will be an action-packed 24-round calendar.