Exclusive: F1 decides against F175-style season launch in 2026
Formula 1 will not return to London's O2 Arena for a 2026 season launch, Motorsport.com can reveal
Cars and drivers line-up
Photo by: Getty Images
Formula 1 has decided against holding a group season launch for its 2026 campaign, Motorsport.com has learned.
To celebrate the championship’s 75th anniversary, F1 held a first-of-its-kind 2025 season launch with all teams jointly presenting their new liveries at the O2 Arena in London.
By all metrics the event was a success for F1 and its teams and sponsors: it recorded a peak of 1.1 million concurrent live viewers on its YouTube channel, with 7.5 million viewers in total across various platforms as the series officially kickstarted the 2025 campaign.
But Motorsport.com has learned that after exploring options with its teams and stakeholders, commercial rightsholder FOM has now decided not to repeat the event ahead of the 2026 season.
It is understood that a part of the decision is down to FOM feeling that as February's launch event was held specifically to celebrate F1's 75-year anniversary, it wouldn't necessarily have made sense to hold it annually but rather revisit it in the future around other key moments.
Alex Albon, Williams
Photo by: Getty Images
Another major factor is the sweeping regulation changes for 2026, which means teams will have to run all-new cars and power units. As part of that huge undertaking, F1's 11 teams - its 10 current squads and newcomer Cadillac - are set for a trio of three-day pre-season tests in Barcelona and Bahrain, up from this off-season's sole three-day test in Sakhir.
The first of those test events is expected to be held behind closed doors in Barcelona at the end of January, pushing any potential season launch closer towards the turn of the year.
An official, large-scale season launch in the style of 2025's O2 spectacle would not only cause a big distraction at a critical time for F1 teams, but would also have to be held at a time when they are still finalising their 2026 sponsorship roster.
FOM has therefore decided not to go ahead with a repeat of 2025 after a consultation with teams. It is, however, still exploring options to revive the event in the future.
Among the options is to take the event to different key cities and markets around the world rather than return to London.
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