The 2026 season is fast approaching, and with it the launch events for the teams’ new cars.
In just under a month, the season will officially get underway, with Montmeló hosting the first official shakedown of the new cars — machines that have been radically overhauled both externally and, above all, under the skin compared to the previous generation.
Barcelona will mark the first of three test sessions leading up to the opening race in Australia.
Two further tests are scheduled to take place in Bahrain, running from 11–13 February and 18–20 February, before the paddock heads to Albert Park for the season opener on the weekend of 6–8 March.
Photo: Race Pictures
What will the 2026 cars be called?
| Team | 2026 chassis name |
| McLaren | MCL40A (to be confirmed) |
| Ferrari | TBA |
| Red Bull Racing | RB22 (to be confirmed) |
| Mercedes | W17 (confirmed) |
| Aston Martin | AMR26 (confirmed) |
| Alpine | A526 (confirmed) |
| Williams | FW48 (confirmed) |
| Haas | VF-26 (confirmed) |
| Racing Bulls | VCARB 03 (to be confirmed) |
| Audi | RS-26 (confirmed) |
| Cadillac | TBA |
Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 calendar
The new campaign will get underway one week earlier than last year, with Melbourne once again staging the season opener, while Abu Dhabi — as has become customary — will host the championship finale.
The 2026 calendar will once again feature 24 Grands Prix, alongside six sprint races, bringing the total number of competitive events to 30 between March and December. The result is a relentlessly busy schedule, offering more on-track action than ever before.
The most notable change sees the Imola Grand Prix dropped from the calendar, leaving Italy with just one race. Spain, by contrast, gains an additional round, with Madrid joining Barcelona on the schedule at different stages of the season.