Key Pre-Season Dates Announced for F1 2026

The countdown to the highly anticipated 2026 Formula 1 season has begun. Key pre-season dates have been announced, featuring team launches and test sessions. These events will pave the way for the first race of the season, scheduled to be the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.

Key Pre-Season Dates Announced for F1 2026

Launch Events

• January 15: Red Bull and Racing Bulls will unveil their new liveries in a joint launch in Detroit, Michigan. This event marks the debut of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains as a power unit manufacturer.
• January 20: Audi will present its new race livery in Berlin, signaling its first season after taking over the Kick Sauber outfit. A public opening will occur the following day.
• January 20: Honda will launch its new power unit in Tokyo, exclusively for Aston Martin. The event features prominent speakers, including Toshihiro Mibe and Lawrence Stroll.
• January 23: A significant day for launches, Alpine will introduce its new car in Barcelona, with little detail shared beforehand.
• January 23: Haas will also reveal its 2026 livery online, coinciding with several team launches.
• January 23: Ferrari, led by Fred Vasseur, will confirm its launch date in Fiorano, Italy. More details about their event are yet to come.
• February 9: Aston Martin will unveil the AMR26, their new challenger for the season. Details were teased via social media posts.

Pre-Season Testing

• January 26-30: A private pre-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will take place over five days.
• February 11-13: The second round of testing will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit, spanning three days.
• February 18-20: Another three-day test will follow, again at the Bahrain International Circuit, allowing teams to finalize their setups.

2026 Championship Start

The exciting 2026 championship will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. This race will be followed by a double-header with the Chinese Grand Prix the following week. Fans can expect a thrilling season ahead with 24 races on the calendar, showcasing cutting-edge technology and fierce competition.