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 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 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 – Haas livery reveal
In what will be a busy day for F1 launches, Haas are also set to unveil their 2026 livery on January 23.
The American squad have confirmed that they will reveal their challenger for the new campaign online.
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 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.
/GettyImages-2261466792.webp?ssl=1 "How to watch the second Formula 1 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain")
/Winners%20&%20Losers%20header%20template%20(2).webp?ssl=1 "5 Winners and 2 Losers from the first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain – who was left itching to make up for lost ground?")
