It’s all change in Formula 1 this year, as the series rolls out radical new rules that will upend the chassis and engine regulations. Ahead of the season-opener in Australia, teams have begun unveiling their 2026 challengers.
Red Bull was the first to reveal the cars that will compete for its titular outfit and sister team Racing Bullsbefore five further teams showcased their 2026 Formula 1 cars.
Now, with just four teams yet to unveil their new machines, this is every 2026 Formula 1 car that we’ve seen so far.
Red Bull RB26
Table of Contents
- 1. Red Bull RB26
- 2. Racing Bulls VCARB 03
- 3. Haste VF-26
- 4. Audi R26
- 5. Mercedes W17
- 6. Ferrari SF-26
- 7. Alpine A526
- 8. When will the others be unveiled?
- 9. We want your opinion!
- 10. What are the key differences between the 2026 F1 cars announced so far?
- 11. This is Every 2026 Formula 1 Car We’ve Seen So Far
- 12. Ferrari SF-26: A Bold Evolution
- 13. Mercedes-AMG F1 W17: Continuing the Silver Arrows Legacy
- 14. McLaren MCL38: A Step Forward in Performance
- 15. red Bull Racing RB20: Evolution of a Champion
- 16. Aston Martin AMR26: A Focus on Aerodynamic Efficiency
- 17. Williams FW56: A New Era for the Team
- 18. Alpine A526: French Ambition
- 19. Alfa Romeo C44: A New Chapter
Red Bull Racing livery
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
Drivers: Max Verstappen & Isack Hadjar
Power Unit: Red Bull-Ford
Red Bull was one of the first teams to unveil its 2026 challenger, throwing the covers off the RB22 at an event in Detroit, Michigan. The car will be the first Red Bull racer to use an in-house developed powertrain, which has been created in conjunction with American automaker Ford.
Racing Bulls VCARB 03
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Photo by: Davide Cavazza
Drivers: Liam Lawson & Arvid Lindblad
Power Unit: Red Bull-Ford DM01
The VCARB 03 was premiered at that same event in the US and makes use of the same Red Bull-Ford power unit, which has been named in honour of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz. It made its on-track debut in a filming day in Italy, but rookie racer Arvid Lindblad had a few teething problems and went off track at Imola.
Haste VF-26
Oliver Bearman, Haas VF-26
Photo by: Haas F1 Team
Drivers: Esteban Ocon & Oliver Bearman
Power Unit: Ferrari
Now officially known as the TGR Haas F1 Team after agreeing a new title sponsorship deal with Toyota, the American team will race the VF-26 this year. The new car has been a long time coming, with Haas technical director Andrea De Zordo revealing that it has been in the works since 2024.
Audi R26
Audi F1 Team R26 livery
Photo by: Christopher Otto
Drivers: Nico Hulkenberg & Gabriel Bortoleto
Power Unit: Audi
After taking over the Sauber team, Audi unveiled its first F1 racer at an event in Berlin last week. The new car, which has a striking silver, black and red livery, will use Audi’s own power unit – the only car on the grid to do so.
Mercedes W17
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes W17
Photo by: Mercedes AMG
Drivers: George Russell & Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Power Unit: Mercedes
After losing its way in F1’s ground effect era, Mercedes will be hoping that the W17 can help it get back to the front. After shaking down its new car last week, innovative details have been spotted on the car, including an intriguing hole at the rear of its diffuser.
Ferrari SF-26
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-26
Photo by: Federico Basile | AG Photo
Drivers: Lewis Hamilton & Charles Leclerc
Power Unit: Ferrari
Another team hoping to make the most of F1’s reset is Ferrari, which will race the SF-26 this year. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the wheel, the team needs a car that the pair can extract the most from in order to get back to winning ways.
Alpine A526
Alpine A526 livery
Photo by: Alpine
Drivers: Pierre Gasly & Franco Colapinto
Power Unit: Mercedes
Alpine ceased development of its 2025 challenger early to get a head start on the A526, which will be the first car in the team’s history to use a Mercedes engine. The team reports that it was already handed a “confidence boost” when it took to the Silverstone track with its new car last week.
When will the others be unveiled?
There are still four teams yet to reveal their 2026 challengers, and each will come after the conclusion of F1’s Barcelona shakedown – which kicks off this week at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
After ruling out running in the test, Williams will debut its new car on 3 February. The all-new Cadillac team will be next, with the American outfit showcasing its car during a Super Bowl advert on 8 February.
Finally, Aston Martin and McLaren will reveal their 2026 challengers on 9 February – just two days before the first scheduled Bahrain test.
We want your opinion!
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– The Motorsport.com Team
What are the key differences between the 2026 F1 cars announced so far?
This is Every 2026 Formula 1 Car We’ve Seen So Far
The 2026 Formula 1 season is rapidly approaching, and with it, a new generation of cars promising significant changes thanks to the revised engine regulations. Teams have been diligently working behind the scenes,and we’re starting to get glimpses of what to expect. Here’s a breakdown of every 2026 F1 car revealed so far,detailing key features and what makes each one stand out.
Ferrari SF-26: A Bold Evolution
Ferrari was the first team to officially unveil its 2026 challenger, the SF-26, on January 20th. the car showcases a noticeably different aerodynamic beliefs compared to its predecessors.
* Key Features: A more aggressively sculpted front wing, aimed at maximizing airflow management. Revised sidepod inlets, designed for improved cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. A refined rear wing, focusing on increased downforce.
* Engine: The SF-26 houses Ferrari’s all-new power unit, a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 coupled with a refined Energy Recovery System (ERS). This represents a complete overhaul of their powertrain strategy.
* Early Impressions: Experts suggest Ferrari has prioritized maximizing aerodynamic performance within the new regulations, possibly sacrificing some straight-line speed.
Mercedes-AMG F1 W17: Continuing the Silver Arrows Legacy
Mercedes followed suit, presenting the W17 on January 22nd. The silver Arrows have opted for a more evolutionary approach, building upon the strengths of their 2025 design.
* Key features: A sleeker, more refined sidepod design, emphasizing aerodynamic efficiency. A revised suspension geometry, aimed at improving mechanical grip. Subtle changes to the front wing,focusing on optimizing airflow.
* Engine: The W17 features Mercedes’ new-generation power unit, developed in collaboration with McLaren. This engine is expected to deliver significant improvements in both power and fuel efficiency.
* Early Impressions: Mercedes appears to be focusing on reliability and driveability, aiming for a consistent performance throughout the season. The team has emphasized the importance of integrating the new power unit seamlessly with the chassis.
McLaren MCL38: A Step Forward in Performance
McLaren unveiled the MCL38 on January 23rd, showcasing a car that represents a significant step forward in their design philosophy.
* Key Features: A radically redesigned sidepod concept, inspired by the innovative designs seen in other teams. A more aggressive diffuser, aimed at maximizing downforce generation. A revised front suspension, focusing on improved responsiveness.
* Engine: The MCL38 is powered by the Mercedes power unit, benefiting from the close collaboration between the two teams.
* Early Impressions: McLaren’s bold design choices suggest they are willing to take risks to unlock performance gains. The team is confident that the MCL38 will be a competitive package.
red Bull Racing RB20: Evolution of a Champion
Red Bull racing presented the RB20 on January 24th.While maintaining a similar overall philosophy to its championship-winning predecessor,the RB20 incorporates several key updates to adapt to the 2026 regulations.
* Key Features: Refined aerodynamic surfaces, focusing on maximizing downforce and minimizing drag. Updated suspension components, aimed at improving mechanical grip and ride quality. Optimized cooling solutions, designed to handle the demands of the new power unit.
* engine: The RB20 utilizes the Red Bull Powertrains’ own engine, marking a significant milestone for the team.
* Early Impressions: Red Bull is expected to remain a dominant force in 2026, leveraging its experience and expertise to develop a competitive package.
Aston Martin AMR26: A Focus on Aerodynamic Efficiency
Aston Martin launched the AMR26 on January 25th, highlighting a commitment to aerodynamic efficiency and performance.
* Key Features: A streamlined bodywork design, minimizing drag and maximizing airflow. A revised front wing, optimized for downforce generation. Enhanced cooling systems, ensuring optimal engine performance.
* Engine: The AMR26 is powered by a mercedes engine.
* Early Impressions: Aston Martin aims to build on its recent progress, delivering a car that is both fast and reliable.
Williams FW56: A New Era for the Team
Williams revealed the FW56 on January 24th, signaling a fresh start for the historic team.
* Key Features: A completely new aerodynamic package, designed to improve downforce and reduce drag. A revised chassis layout, optimizing weight distribution and structural integrity. Updated suspension components, enhancing handling and responsiveness.
* Engine: the FW56 is powered by a Mercedes engine.
* Early Impressions: Williams is hoping to make a significant leap forward in performance, aiming to challenge the established frontrunners.
Alpine A526: French Ambition
Alpine unveiled the A526 on January 23rd, showcasing a car that reflects the team’s ambition to compete at the highest level.
* Key Features: A refined aerodynamic package, focusing on maximizing downforce and minimizing drag. A revised suspension geometry, aimed at improving mechanical grip. Updated cooling systems, ensuring optimal engine performance.
* Engine: The A526 is powered by a Renault engine.
* Early Impressions: Alpine is aiming to build on its recent progress, delivering a car that is both fast and reliable.
Alfa Romeo C44: A New Chapter
Alfa Romeo presented the C44 on January 21st, marking a new chapter for the team.