Instead of launching all 10 liveries at the same time as it was in 2025, F1’s opening show will be hosted differently
Huge updates for F1! Big changes are coming to Formula 1 — and not just on track. As the circus prepares for the upcoming race in Montréal, discussions are well underway at F1 headquarters and Liberty Media on how best to kick off the historic 2026 season.
The 2026 season marks a major turning point in F1 history, with an unprecedented technical overhaul set to reshape both the cars and the competitive landscape. The championship is therefore placing full focus on launching these revolutionary machines — but this time, not in a shared, single event.
What to expect in 2026
At the 2025 presentation, each team had just under 10 minutes on stage alongside their drivers and team principals, offering fans only a fleeting glimpse of their favorite car.
While the show attracted over 1.1 million live viewers and more than 7.5 million total views, the format was criticized for limiting fans’ ability to fully appreciate technical details or team narratives.
According to reports from Motorsport.com, a return to the London format is highly unlikely. It’s believed that individual teams pushed for more autonomy, favoring local launches at their own facilities — a format that allows more in-depth presentations tailored to each brand.
Additionally, the 2026 pre-season is expected to include two separate testing sessions: one in January at Barcelona (likely behind closed doors and not televised) and another in mid-February in Bahrain, which will be broadcast by major international networks.
Photo: F1, FIA.com