With only a few weeks away from the start of the 2026 Formula One season, F1Technical’s senior writer Balazs Szabo takes a look at the official entry list, explaining each team’s name.
McLaren Mastercard F1 Team
McLaren competes under the official name McLaren Mastercard F1 Team, reflecting the title partnership with Mastercard that began as part of the team’s commercial expansion strategy.
The branding underscores McLaren’s strong corporate backing and its positioning as a modern, globally integrated racing organisation. With Mercedes power and the established pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, the team enters 2026 with both stability and momentum.
Mercedes‑AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Mercedes races under the long‑standing name Mercedes‑AMG Petronas Formula One Team, which highlights the collaboration between Mercedes‑AMG’s performance division and Petronas, the team’s long‑time title sponsor and technical partner.
The name reflects a fully integrated works operation, combining in‑house chassis and power unit development. George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli lead the team into a new era defined by generational transition.
Oracle Red Bull Racing
Red Bull competes as Oracle Red Bull Racing, a name that emphasises the team’s major technology partnership with Oracle, whose cloud‑computing infrastructure supports Red Bull’s simulation and data‑driven development.
The team continues to operate its own Red Bull‑Ford power unit and fields Max Verstappen alongside Isack Hadjar, blending championship pedigree with emerging talent.
Scuderia Ferrari HP
Ferrari enters the season as Scuderia Ferrari HP, reflecting the team’s title partnership with HP. The branding signals Ferrari’s push toward deeper technological collaboration as it prepares for the 2026 regulations.
With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, the team fields one of the most high‑profile lineups in the sport and aims to reassert itself as a consistent title challenger.
Atlassian Williams F1 Team
Williams competes under the name Atlassian Williams F1 Team, marking a major commercial partnership with the software company Atlassian.
The naming reflects Williams’s broader strategy of aligning with technology‑driven partners as it continues its long‑term rebuilding programme. Alexander Albon leads the team as it seeks to strengthen its position in the midfield.
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team
Racing Bulls races under the full name Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team, a branding that highlights the dual title sponsorship from Visa and Cash App.
The name reflects the team’s commercial repositioning as a more independent but still strategically aligned sister team to Red Bull. With Carlos Sainz, Arvid Lindblad, and Liam Lawson, the team blends experience with Red Bull‑backed youth.
Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team
Aston Martin competes as Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, a name that underscores its long‑term partnership with Aramco, one of the world’s largest energy companies.
The branding reflects the team’s ambition to become a fully integrated manufacturer‑backed contender. Fernando Alonso continues to anchor the team as it enters the Honda‑powered era.
TGR Haas F1 Team
Haas races under the name TGR Haas F1 Team, marking the team’s partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR). The naming signals a deeper technical and commercial collaboration that strengthens Haas’s long‑term competitiveness.
Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman form a pairing that combines experience with one of the grid’s most promising young drivers.
Audi Revolt F1 Team
Audi enters Formula One as Audi Revolt F1 Team, a name that reflects the brand’s electrification‑focused “Revolt” identity and its commitment to the sport’s hybrid future.
The team fields an all‑Audi chassis and power unit, marking one of the most significant manufacturer debuts in recent years. Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto lead the team into its inaugural season.
BWT Alpine Formula One Team
Alpine competes as BWT Alpine Formula One Team, continuing its title partnership with BWT, whose branding has become synonymous with the team’s identity.
The name reflects Alpine’s dual focus on French engineering heritage and global commercial partnerships. Franco Colapinto leads the team as it seeks greater stability after several inconsistent seasons.
Cadillac Formula 1 Team
Cadillac enters the championship under the official sporting name Cadillac Formula 1 Team, operated by TWG Cadillac Formula 1 Team LLC. The name reflects Cadillac’s status as a full OEM entrant and its partnership with TWG Global, which provides the organisational structure behind the project.
With Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, the team begins its journey using Ferrari power units before transitioning to a full Cadillac‑GM works engine in 2028.