Get ready for an exciting reveal! The McLaren Formula 1 team is about to lift the veil on their 2026 livery, and we've got all the details you need to catch this highly anticipated event.
The Big Unveiling: McLaren's 2026 F1 Car
Mark your calendars for Monday, February 9, 2026, as McLaren prepares to showcase their new look and reveal the car that will carry their hopes for the upcoming season. The event will take place in Bahrain, setting the stage for an action-packed week of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 11-13 and 18-20.
When and Where to Watch
- Local Time: 6:00 PM (Bahrain)
- GMT: 3:00 PM
- CET: 4:00 PM
- PST: 7:00 AM
- EST: 10:00 AM
- JST: 12:00 AM (Tuesday, February 10)
- CST (China): 11:00 PM
You won't want to miss this, so make sure you tune in! The launch will be live-streamed on McLaren's official YouTube channel, so fans worldwide can join in on the excitement.
Who's in Attendance?
The stars of the show will be none other than McLaren's drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. They'll be joined by the team's CEO, Zak Brown, and Team Principal, Andrea Stella, as they unveil the new car and share their insights and expectations for the season ahead.
A Sneak Peek: McLaren's Barcelona Shakedown
Before the big launch, McLaren, along with most other teams, participated in private testing in Barcelona from January 26-30. Here's a glimpse of what Norris and Piastri had to say after the final day of the shakedown:
Lando Norris:
"Today was a great learning experience, and it felt amazing to be back in the car. I'm incredibly grateful to the entire McLaren team for their hard work and support. Driving another McLaren this year is a pleasure, and running the No.1 car for the first time was a special moment for all of us during the Shakedown.
We've identified areas for improvement, and we're eager to see what we can achieve back at our Woking headquarters as we prepare for Bahrain. This week, we'll continue learning in the simulator alongside our Simulator and Development Drivers, and I'm excited to tackle those challenges. These new cars definitely require a new driving approach, and the more we work on it, the better prepared we'll be for the start of the season."
Oscar Piastri:
"Today was a much smoother day compared to our first two. We managed to get a solid number of laps under our belt and find our rhythm. I'm starting to get a real feel for the car, and we've already experimented with various configurations and settings to understand its behavior during a race weekend. Our priority this week has been clear: understand the car and make it better.
There's still a lot to learn, especially regarding the power unit. Together with HPP, we're working to maximize our understanding and performance. The feedback from both Lando and myself has been invaluable. We've also noticed some differences from last year's car, especially with the increased downforce, so getting accustomed to that balance has been a key focus.
Looking ahead to Bahrain, we feel well-prepared. There haven't been any major surprises in terms of my driving style, and ensuring everything functions as expected remains our top priority. We'll review what met our expectations, what didn't, and any interesting discoveries so far.
Overall, it's been a successful step in the right direction to start the year, so a big thank you to the entire team for their hard work in preparing the car."
And there you have it! McLaren is ready to take on the 2026 season, and we can't wait to see their new car in action.
But here's where it gets controversial... What do you think of McLaren's chances this season? Do you agree with the drivers' assessments? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's spark a discussion!
The Motorsport.com Team
