F1 2026

Williams F1 car launch 2026: Date, start time and watch the big reveal LIVE

Sam Cook Monday 2 February 2026 20:51

Williams - the only team not to be present at the first pre-season testing event of the year last week - are finally set to unveil their 2026 F1 car on Tuesday February 3.

The Grove-based outfit opted not to head to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last week, with the FW48 not yet ready to take to the track.

Team principal James Vowles revealed that it hadn't passed a couple of tests that it needed to, and rather than rushing it through, the team opted to wait until Bahrain pre-season testing for their first official test of the season.

That takes place between February 11-13, before another three-day event in Bahrain between February 18-20, meaning Williams still have six full days available to them.

Now, following a brief pause in the car launch ceremonies in order to make way for the Barcelona shakedown, Williams are set to become the latest team to unveil their challenger in a virtual event.

Vowles, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz are expected to talk at the season launch event, where there will be a discussion with the Williams F1 stars about the new regulations and their hopes for the 2026 season.

When is Williams' F1 2026 car launch?

The event takes place on Tuesday, February 3 via a virtual link at 2:00pm GMT (3:00pm CET, 9am ET, 6am PT, 8am CT).

How to watch Williams season launch live

The live stream will be available on this page once it goes live so you can catch all the action right here on GPFans!

Alternatively, the launch event will also be broadcast on WilliamsF1.com, the Williams app as well as via their social media channels.

When does the 2026 F1 season start?

The 2026 season gets underway at the beginning of March at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The first two practice sessions that weekend take place on March 6, before the grand prix kicks off on Sunday, March 8.

When are the 2026 F1 car launches?

When are the F1 2026 car launches?
Team	Location	Date	How to watch
Red Bull	Detroit, USA	January 15	Red Bull Racing website, YouTube
Racing Bulls	Detroit, USA	January 15	Red Bull Racing website, YouTube
Haas	Online	January 19	Haas F1 website and social pages
Audi	Berlin, Germany	January 20	YouTube, Audi social channels
Ferrari	Maranello, Italy	January 23	YouTube, Ferrari social media pages
Alpine	Barcelona, Spain	January 23	YouTube, Alpine social media pages
Mercedes	Online	February 2	Mercedes social channels
Williams	Grove	February 3	TBC
Cadillac	Santa Clara, USA	February 8	Cadillac F1 website, YouTube
Aston Martin	TBC	February 9	TBC
McLaren	Bahrain and Online	February 9	TBC