Teams are preparing to reveal their next-generation cars ahead of pre-season testing, which will provide the first meaningful insight into how the revised regulations have been interpreted across the grid. The 2026 rules bring lighter cars, new power units and significant aerodynamic changes, making the initial unveilings more closely watched than in recent years.

The staggered launch schedule is expected to mirror recent seasons, with teams opting for a mix of standalone digital reveals (which have become increasingly popular in recent years) and on-track shakedowns. Some are likely to prioritise early running to validate design concepts, while others may hold back details until testing begins.

With a major reset underway, the anticipation between teams is already building. Engineers and drivers alike will be keen to see whether the competitive order shifts when the cars first appear, particularly after several seasons of tightly matched performance at the front. For that reason, what happens in pre-season testing this year will be far more consequential than in recent seasons.  

As launch season approaches, the focus will move from speculation to substance, setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most intriguing pre-season build-ups in Formula One’s modern era.