F1 2026 Pre-Season Dates: The Complete F1 Testing Schedule, Launches & Season Opener
- Racing Statistics
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
The wait for F1 2026 is officially on — and this year’s build-up matters more than usual. With a new era of regulations arriving, teams have three separate F1 testing windows (across two locations) to dial in brand-new cars before the first lights-out of the season in Melbourne
Below is the full, easy-to-scan guide to every major launch, livery reveal, and F1 2026 pre-season testing date you need to know.
F1 2026 key dates at a glance
Date | Event | Location |
Jan 15 | Red Bull / Racing Bulls (with Ford) launch | Detroit |
Jan 19 | Haas livery reveal | Online |
Jan 20 | Audi launch | Berlin |
Jan 20 | Honda power unit launch (Aston Martin partner) | Tokyo |
Jan 22 | Mercedes unveil W17 renders | Online |
Jan 23 | Alpine launch | Barcelona |
Jan 23 | Ferrari launch | TBC |
Jan 26–30 | Private pre-season test | Barcelona |
Feb 2 | Mercedes full launch show | Online |
Feb 3 | Williams livery reveal | Online |
Feb 8 | Cadillac livery reveal (Super Bowl ad) | TV reveal |
Feb 9 | Aston Martin AMR26 launch | TBC |
Feb 11–13 | F1 testing (Test 2) | Bahrain |
Feb 18–20 | F1 testing (Test 3) | Bahrain |
Mar 6–8 | F1 2026 season opener: Australian GP | Melbourne |
(All dates confirmed in F1’s published pre-season calendar.)
January launches: the first big wave of F1 2026 reveals
January 15 — Red Bull & Racing Bulls launch (Detroit)
Red Bull and Racing Bulls kick off the F1 2026 reveal season with a joint event alongside Ford in Detroit, spotlighting the new Ford-linked power unit project.
January 19 — Haas livery reveal (online)
Haas moved their reveal forward to January 19 and will unveil the new look online.
January 20 — Audi launch (Berlin)
Audi’s first season under the Audi name begins with a Berlin launch event and a full race livery presentation.
January 20 — Honda power unit launch (Tokyo)
Honda will launch its new power unit for F1 2026 ahead of its exclusive partnership with Aston Martin, with the event livestreamed for fans.
January 22 — Mercedes reveal W17 renders
Mercedes will publish the first official look via renders before their full launch show in early February.
January 23 — Alpine & Ferrari launches
January 23 is a double-header: Alpine launch in Barcelona and Ferrari’s launch date confirmed for the same day (with details still to come).
F1 testing schedule: all F1 2026 pre-season running
If you only care about one thing, it’s this: three tests, two venues, and your first real performance clues.
Jan 26–30 — Private F1 testing in Barcelona (Test 1)
The first F1 testing block is a private five-day test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With 2026 rules reshaping the cars, this is where teams shake down reliability, baseline setups, and early aero concepts away from the spotlight.
We will be hosting live watchalongs on the Racing Statistics YouTube Channel during all pre-season testing session to keep you updated with any news and data we can get from the sessions!
Feb 11–13 — Bahrain F1 testing (Test 2)
The second pre-season test moves to Bahrain for three days. This is typically the first time fans get a clearer picture of long-run pace, fuel loads, and early “who nailed it?” signs.
Feb 18–20 — Bahrain F1 testing (Test 3)
The third and final F1 2026 test is also in Bahrain, giving teams one last chance to fine-tune performance before Australia.
When does F1 2026 start? Australian Grand Prix (March 6–8)
After all launches and F1 testing are complete, the F1 2026 season begins in Melbourne on March 6–8
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